Zeinab Alhashemi: Metempsychosis The Soul’s Journey Through Material

Dubai, UAE – Leila Heller Gallery is delighted to announce the upcoming solo exhibition by Zeinab Alhashemi, titled 'Metempsychosis: The Soul’s Journey Through Material', opening 14th November 2024. 

“Metempsychosis” is a reflection on transformation, where the raw materials of industry and history meet personal healing. This body of work represents Zeinab Alhashemi’s ongoing exploration of the elements that shape her artistic practice, while also responding to the trauma of a life-altering car accident. Metal, now a permanent part of her body in the form of screws and hardware, is exposed in her sculptures as a metaphor for the structures that define contemporary existence. These elements highlight the impact of human intervention in reshaping the environment.

At the heart of the exhibition are sculptures made from PVC Roman pillar molds, enveloped in camel hides, a material that symbolizes the tension between heritage and industrialism, death and rebirth. The visible screw bolts serve as both functional elements and symbols of mechanization, echoing the hardware in her own body. These bolts, a recurring motif in Alhashemi’s work, ground her in the industrial era while transforming personal trauma into art. 

Bronze sculptures in the exhibition further challenge the traditional role of monumental sculpture by elevating industrial objects, particularly nut and bolt, into iconic symbols of modern strength and resilience. This casting reflects the times we live in, where industrial materials have become monuments of human ingenuity. 

“Metempsychosis” is a meditation on the transformation of material, memory, and self. It captures the tension between the natural and industrial, while also delving into the intimate process of healing. Alhashemi’s work stands as a testament to resilience, reminding viewers that even the harshest forms can hold beauty and meaning in their transformation.