Description
Tables occupy a special place in Abdul razzak shaballout (1974-now) hyper realistic world, a table is not a functional piece of furniture , it’s a stage were multitudes are set to be presented, its an open invitation to gaze or to join. art history tables are metaphors for the passing of time “dead nature/ living nature” , a place where games are played “above the table/ under the table”, a place of gathering, and most important a place of waiting, a table without people around it, is a sphere of hop nourished by those who might arrive.
A table holds a constellation that reflects economic and social status of those who might be around it. If each element In “waiting for dinner” reflects the amount of “energy” one will gain after the meal ( the open sardine can could a statement of generosity where one offers all he have) , the collection of “All elements ” is a representation of a mode of hospitality, an invitation to share What we/I have ! , But, There are two tea glasses, we don’t know who is waiting, and why he/she is waiting, still, do one really needs a reason to wait ?
Shaballout in this painting presents his ability to “capture” textures of what will be consumed and mixed eventually, we see canned meat, fresh onion, shining-fresh tomato, a reflecting water and grains of salt, as if the “eye” can taste , which calls for definition that could be described as the core of the aesthetic experience : to taste means to know with out being able to explain.
