“I am interested in the interplay between the past and present and the seamless transition between them. As one examines the scenes of original and found imagery, certain expectations are upended, and the definition of what is old is no longer what it seems – or should be.”
– Barry Iverson
If the name, Barry Iverson, doesn’t ring a bell then maybe his brilliant work will. Barry Iverson is an American artist that has been living and working in the MENA region for decades and has captured some of the region’s most iconic places in the most picturesque way. Taking on the impossible task of blending ancient architecture, rolling sand dunes, traditional lifestyles and modernity the photographer has shown a side of the region that not many people in the West have been able to experience.
The American photographer began his work in the region in 1985 when he received a Fullbright Scholarship to research the history of photography in Egypt. Since then, his work has been showcased in public and private collections around the world including Harvard University and the American University in Cairo (AUC). With a unique style and keen eye, Iverson is a former TIME Magazine photographer and continues to practice his craft and inspire people to see the world in a new light.
The Tour series is now on display in Dubai as Fann A Porter hosts a special event honoring the photojournalist’s work. The esteemed veteran has worked in the region for over twenty years has been able to capture the juxtaposition between past and present while addressing issues like Orientalism, the Western gaze, and Islamophobia. Iverson’s unique photographs will be on display to give old fans and new ones the opportunity to experience the people, landscapes, architecture, history, politics, and beauty of the MENA region.
“In a twist of historical revisionism and ambivalent truths, this series represents my tour, and I have constructed a fictional documentary of Egyptians and cosmopolitan Levantine residents on visits to places throughout the Mediterranean and Near East. At its core are works of architectural studies that result in a projection of subjective memories on actual places,”
– Barry Iverson
The Tour by Barry Iverson will run from February 19th, 2020 to March 14th, 2020 at The Workshop Dubai in collaboration with Fann A Porter. For more information, please contact the gallery on +971559480363, or email fann@theworkshopdubai.com
