Birds and Snakes by Karim Shuquem

Karim Shuquem

Birds and Snakes

acrylic sheets, acrylic markers, light bulbs, wire

“birds and snakes” is the culmination of a vandalistic collaboration (via post) between artists Ben Hirschkoff (Seattle) and Karim Shuquem (Los Angeles). The process began with Hirschkoff sending Shuquem scraps and cut pieces of unfinished studio work. Shuquem sent back a collection of drawings and paintings on the scraps which Hirschkoff then cut up and collaged into a cloud form and sent back to Shuquem. Shuquem added more drawings and paint to the piece and finally Hirschkoff added doll eyes and flicker flame fixtures.

During the process, Hirschkoff slept with a mugwort pillow and Shuquem drank mugwort tea. While neither artist noticed unusual dream patterns, both agreed that the collection of disjointed imagery in the piece felt like dreams or memories. The eyes and flames imply a persona haunted by this imagery staring back at the viewer.

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From Karim Shuquem

Nothing Personal

mixed media on paper

19.5 x 25.5 x 1 in
Chainmail

monoprint with added drawing

14.75 x 18.75 x 1 in
Red Faced (Care Center)

woodcut with added drawing

12 x 12 x 1 in
Engraved Piano backprint

Woodcut

35 x 60 x 1 in
Afterparty

Acrylic On Canvas

24 x 24 x 1 in
Opening

oil and acrylic on canvas

36 x 60 x 2 in
Elevator

oil and acrylic on canvas

36 x 60 x 3 in
Long Walk Away

Drawing: monotype with relief ink liquid watercolor, red bic flair pen on archival paper

30 x 22 x 1 in

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Additional Details

Additional Artworks

Nothing Personal

Chainmail

Red Faced (Care Center)

Engraved Piano backprint

Afterparty

Opening

Elevator

Long Walk Away