Curatorial notes
Samia Halaby painted "For Jean Gordon", an oil on canvas, with shapes dancing in a vibrant chorus. The geometric forms are like ideograms; triangles suggest direction, and overlapping curves imply harmony. Consider how geometric abstraction evolves through time. Recall the Renaissance, where the triangle symbolized the Holy Trinity, and the circle, divine perfection. In Wassily Kandinsky's work we see triangles and circles expressing spiritual states, a bridge to pure emotion. The shapes in Halaby's canvas evoke a visual language, where each form carries symbolic and emotional weight. Much like ancient symbols, these forms awaken a response deep in our collective memory, hinting at hidden connections that linger long after we've turned away. In Halaby's symphony of shapes, we find both ancient echoes and a modern rhythm.
