FRAGMENTED ABSTRACTION 1 1998

Rashid Al Khalifa made this untitled painting using vibrant acrylics on canvas. The smooth surface and bold colors were likely achieved through careful layering and blending, common techniques associated with easel painting. Notice how the fluidity and intensity of acrylics lend themselves to the painting's abstracted floral forms and swirling patterns. Unlike traditional oil paints, acrylics dry quickly, allowing for rapid build-up of color and texture. Khalifa exploits this quality to create a dynamic composition that seems to burst forth from the canvas. Yet, the slick, almost artificial quality of acrylic paint also hints at a world saturated with synthetic materials and mass production, a stark contrast to the natural motifs within the painting. Ultimately, "Fragmented Abstraction 1" invites us to consider the interplay between artistic expression, material innovation, and our relationship to the manufactured world.