Aicon is pleased to announce Birth of Demons, Khadim Ali’s second solo exhibition at the gallery.
New paintings and embroidered tapestries will be on view in the second-floor gallery from February 29 through April 6, 2024.
Ali’s new body of work, Birth of Demons, is a continuation of the artist’s exploration of the experience of minorities and displaced people around the world. He writes:
“…As a Hazara from Pakistan/Afghanistan, I see a parallel in the contemporary demonization of the Hazaras. They have been subjected to derogatory characterizations as infidels, rebels, and unsightly creatures dwelling in the caves of Bamiyan. These contemporary perceptions echo the demonology found in the Shahnameh and Zoroastrian religious myths, revealing a persistent pattern of dehumanization rooted in historical and cultural narratives. This ongoing demonization of the Hazaras illustrates a deeply embedded challenge within the societal and religious psyche, calling for a renewed understanding and reconciliation in the region’s diverse cultural landscape.”
Khadim Ali, Birth of Demons 3, 2024, Gouache and gold leaf on handmade paper, 22 x 28 in
