As the summer quickly approaches, the region’s exhibition cycle has experienced a full refresh, with a clear set of recurring concerns emerging. Emirati artist Juma Al Haj’s latest solo exhibition at Iris Projects examines the psychological aftermath of crisis through a new body of paintings created in direct response to the missile attacks reported in the UAE earlier this year.
Curated by Shamma Al Mheiri, Interoception takes its title from the body's ability to perceive its internal state, using abstraction, gesture and fragmented text to explore how fear and uncertainty are absorbed before finding expression. Developed from journal-like acts of painting and writing, the works function as a visual record of emotional experience.
Expect layered surfaces and disrupted marks alongside visceral handwritten phrases that reflect on collective anxiety and resilience. Through these works, personal response is adeptly positioned as a means of understanding a broader moment of instability.