IDENTITY

A series of 18 works on paper and canvas executed in the year 2008

Syed Ali Arif has always been influenced by his practicing faith, Islam. Intrigued by the religious messages of togetherness between humans, oneness with God and those diminishing the socio-economic status of its followers, Arif has over the decades, depicted various aspects of this religion, amalgamating them with related myths, rituals, literature and politics. This has led him to produce art with thought-provoking inferences.

Through his newest series "Identity", Arif questions the relation between individual identity and religious conviction. Every individual is born into a religion that decides a certain set of rights and wrongs for him and draws limit-lines to conform him to what are described as conventional norms. With the lapse of time, these norms, like their human twins, grow, multiply and spread. During countless times these rules and customs tend to overpower the very essence of human identity, the very meaning of self-existence, rendering a person totally helpless, disoriented and weak. Torn between a plethora of unanswered questions and with little or no guidance through this troubled phase of disillusion, man experiences the dreadful feeling of unbelonging.

To unbelong is to feel a void between your outer and inner self; to part with the inner light that guides; to lose your identity….

It is this loss of self and meaning that Arif has tried to capture through his paintings. Although this state of loss is insufferably painful, it is temporary. Like a passing storm it uproots the very foundation of existence but what it leaves behind is precious—the strength to fight back, the ability to stand up again, the courage to unite with the soul. Arif has succeeded in showing the unmatched human capacity to emerge as a winner from a battle he almost lost to antiquated rules and laws.

Arif’s rendition of robust male figures signifies strength. Almost superhero-like, these men are depicted either to be contemplating or preparing to challenge their fears or struggling to put an end to their infinite suffering. Arabic calligraphy, almost like two-dimensional tattoos etched on these figures in motion, suggests the power of certain religious laws on human thoughts, actions and choices. As a practicing Muslim, Arif identifies more with this script and he believes it has had a significant impact on his growing years, to be the individual he is today.