Jamali (artist)

Jamali
Born Peshawar, Pakistan
Known for Mystical Expressionism

Jamali, a NYC based artist for over 40 years, is the originator of the style Mystical Expressionism. The history of his works has been published by Rizzoli International Publishing, Inc.[1] Art historians such as Donald Kuspit, Mark Strand and Philip Bishop have published numerous articles on Jamali's works. The artist is represented nationally, as well as owns and operates three galleries of his own in New York City,[2] Fort Lauderdale and Winter Park, Florida.[3]

Jamali's complex surfaces and mystical imagery have been compared to the neo-expressionists Anselm Kiefer and Georg Baselitz. His gestural techniques link him to Jackson Pollock and the New York School. But the pre-eminent art critic Donald Kuspit has seen that Jamali's singular method requires its own name—Mystical Expressionism.[4]

Jamali's work is now documented in two volumes, Mystical Expressionism and Mystical Expressionism — Dreams and Works, each with an essay by Donald Kuspit and published by Rizzoli International Publications.[5] Jamali also launched Mardan Publishing, Inc., which offers limited edition artist proofs of Jamali's works as well as a series of catalogs showcasing these prints and publications.[6]


Mystical Expressionism

Mystical Expressionism is the title given to Jamali's artistic style by acclaimed art critic Donald Kuspit. It is based on the ancient Sufi tradition of dancing to induce a trance like state, which Jamali witnessed during his time in the Rajasthan Desert. Ground pigments are applied to a prepared cork canvas, which Jamali dances on. The pigments are then chemically bonded to the canvas. The result is a highly textured, intricate surface. Jamali's canvas dancing is no doubt carried out in a trance-like state, but the important point is that the residue of this state is alive on the canvas, in the form of the marks of his movement. The pigments are in effect the desert sand, and the marks are memory traces of the trance. Many of Jamali's surfaces have leaves, twigs, even the remains of insects embedded in them. As he acknowledges, they were made outdoors, subject to the elements -- rain and sun. Lizards sometimes crossed them. Clearly, a temporal process is involved, and the heavily encrusted result has the rich patina of an archeological find. [7]


Education

Master of Fine Arts, University of Florida — Painting

Bachelor of Fine Arts — Sculpture

Master of Arts — Advanced Economics

Faculty of Science — Physics, Chemistry

Major Contributions/Accomplishments

Originator of Mystical Expressionism. The nouveau international Avant-garde style-deemed by art historian/critic Donald Kuspit.

Ritualistic/Meditative dance in/ On the painting surface.

Collaborative union between the process of painting and the forces of nature.

Sole originator of Fresco Tempera and Pigmentation on Cork - New mediums of painting.

Completed several thousand pieces of artwork including sculpture, paintings, frescoes, pastels, photography, and drawings.

Works are in 3500 private collections in the United States.

Publications

Jamali and his works are featured in over 100 documentary videos

Over 600 pages in volumes published by Rizzoli International Publications, Inc.

Eight catalogs published by Mardan Publishing.

Biography in the works.

Sixty video tapes

Exhibition History

100 one man shows in the U.S.A

Displaying in over 9,000 private and corporate collections around the world.

Collection

60,000 pieces of artwork including paintings, sculptures, frescos, photography and poetry. One of the most prolific artists throughout history.

All work(s) done by the artist - no studio assistants.

Works digitized in high resolution files, using Better Light System.

Facility

Studios and facilities total 50,000 sq. ft. in New York, Florida, and Denmark, designed by the artist himself.

Fund raising and Foundation

The Jamali Foundation has contributed to over 50 charities throughout the United States.

Business

Production, distribution, and administration are carried out by a staff of 25 trained personnel from the Winter Park, Florida location to sixty established showrooms and galleries throughout the country.

Business entities include:

Art and Peace, Inc.

Mardan Publishing, Inc.

Jamali Fine Art, L.L.C.


References

  1. ↑ http://jamali.com/gallery/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47&Itemid=60
  2. ↑ http://www.jamalinycgallery.com/
  3. ↑ http://jamali.com/gallery/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=65
  4. ↑ http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jamali-donald-b-kuspit/1002960806?ean=9780965661003
  5. ↑ http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jamali-boxed-set-jamali/1006240866?ean=9780847826285
  6. ↑ http://jamali.com/gallery/index.php?option=com_phocagallery&view=category&id=9&Itemid=248
  7. ↑ Jamali Mystical Expressionism / Paintings, pp. 187-188, Rizzoli International Publications, Italy, 1997.

External links