Press Release - "wes’onah" by Saif Azzuz
Saif Senussi Azzuz
”Aiken’s crick (Lulu)”
Acrylic, enamel, spray paint, and oil stick on canvas
62 x 90 Inches
2019
pt.2:Oakland
wes’onah
Saif Senussi Azzuz
Opening reception: Saturday, January 11th, 2020, 12-10 p.m.
Artist talk: Saturday, January 11th at 4pm
Showing through: February 7th, 2020
1523b Webster St.
Oakland, CA 94612
info@part2gallery.com
I’ve been thinking about land as a marker for culture and cultural tradition; oral history, what we pass down, the transference of time and space. The stories I am drawn to remind me of home... or the feeling of home. Of places I have or have not experienced for myself. Places that were political simply by existing. These places have helped me to document my family and myself.
pt. 2: Oakland is pleased to present wes’onah, a solo exhibition of paintings by Saif Senussi Azzuz. Starting with stories by, of, and for family members, Azzuz constructs spaces utilizing colorful ink and acrylic paint on tapestry-like canvas imbuing the work with the washy luminosity and gentle disquiet of dreams. Through self-defined symbolism communicating ideas such as movement, energy and time, Azzuz works to acknowledge and validate generational trauma, resilience, land, and story. Saif would like to acknowledge and thank the Ohlone tribe.
Saif Senussi Azzuz
”Don’t look them in the eyes”
Acrylic, dye, and enamel on canvas
62 x 52 Inches
2019
Saif Azzuz (b. 1987) is based in Pacifica, CA. His work revolves around the de-contextualization of Yurok and Arab imagery. Through exploring how Arab and Indigenous culture is depicted and understood in the US, Saif uses his own experience to expand on how ideas of cultural authenticity and tradition interface with contemporary trans-cultural experiences in America. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from California College of the Arts in 2013 and recent solo exhibitions include Rep’osh at Adobe Books, Neskweenepek at Right Window, and Aiy ya kwee at Bruce Gallery.
pt. 2: is a contemporary art gallery that opened its Oakland location in March of 2018 and its Los Angeles location in October of 2019. We feature monthly exhibitions by emerging and mid-career artists. pt. 2: Oakland is located at 1523 b Webster Street and has open gallery hours Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Opening receptions at pt.2: are always free and open to the public. To receive a preview of the exhibition please contact info@part2gallery.com.
Saif Senussi Azzuz
“So’oo”
Natural dye, ink, acrylic on canvas
76 x 56 inches
2019