Beyond geographical borders lies the essence of Altar Jaber’s Clearing, a place where art transcends boundaries. Altar Jaber’s Clearing is not just a location. It’s an experience. It embodies the artistic vision of Athar Jaber. He is an artist whose life has been a journey across cultures.
Athar Jaber was born in Rome in 1982 to Iraqi artists. Growing up in different countries shaped his unique perspective. He explores the common human experience through his art. His primary medium is stone sculpture but he also uses performance, video, photography, and text.
Jaber’s work delves into the profound relationship between sculpture and violence. His PhD research explored this connection. Stone, he discovered, carries deep symbolic meaning. Think of border stones marking territories or stones used as weapons in protest. Even altars, where sacrifices were made, highlight this link.
Consider how stone plays a central role in many religious rituals. The Black Stone in Mecca is one such example. The Anointment Stone in Jerusalem is another. Jaber’s exploration enriches his art conceptually and visually. He acknowledges the rich symbolism of stone.
Jaber sees a fine line between creation and destruction in sculpture. Carving involves inflicting blows on stone. He asks, “Removal of what and by which means?” He experiments with unconventional methods. He ties stones to cars. He sets them on fire and even shoots at them. These actions remove fragments. Does the result qualify as sculpture? Jaber leaves this open to interpretation. His focus is on the artistic practice itself.
In one performance, Jaber shaped marble with cobblestones. The action mirrored traditional carving. It also addressed sensitive issues. These issues include stoning as punishment and revolutionary movements. Throwing stones can symbolize oppression or liberation.
Jaber also uses photography to document stone’s symbolic role. He captured cobblestones holding shutters open or closed. To him, it represents the effort to maintain the status quo. Cobblestones symbolize the invisible violence of the state. Protesters often remove and throw these same stones.
As a professor, Jaber shares his knowledge of stone carving. He sees it as his responsibility. Teaching helps him articulate his intuitive processes. This deepens his understanding. He also learns from his students. The pandemic pushed him to explore online teaching. He found it allowed a more focused approach to sculpture. He also creates tutorials on YouTube to share his knowledge with a global audience.
Michelangelo’s unfinished sculptures greatly influence Jaber. He is drawn to their contemporary look. Francis Bacon is another influence. Bacon aimed to portray the inner reality of the human soul. Jaber’s art resonates with these influences.
Altar Jaber’s Clearing invites reflection on violence and beauty. It encourages us to question the role of stone in society. It prompts us to consider the artist’s journey. It connects to the broader human experience.