"Weaving Threads of Time" by Ibrahim Shuaib

Artist Bio :  Ibrahim Shuaib is a multidisciplinary visual artist born in Nigeria, who currently resides on Treaty 1 Territory in Winnipeg. As a self-taught artist, he finds inspiration in the interplay of chaos and tranquility within himself and seeks to simplify the existential questions of life to better understand them and help ease the difficulties of life's journeys. 

Throughout his artistic career, Ibrahim has explored various forms of self-expression, but has found art to be his most consistent and stable medium. He is constantly experimenting with different techniques and pushing the limits of each medium he works with to create works that are both thought-provoking and aesthetically pleasing. 

Ibrahim's art often tackles topics that are commonly avoided, using direction and misdirection to convey his messages in a unique and impactful way. 

Artist Statement: "Weaving Threads of Time" unravels as a metaphor-rich journey of self-discovery, where spirituality, culture, and the passage of time intertwine to sketch the evolving contours of identity. It's a narrative that reflects the dual nature of life's journey, capturing the innocence of youth and the complexity of adulthood within the warp and weft of a Persian rug. This rug, with its intricate designs and deep hues, symbolizes the sacred spaces of our lives, holding the delicate balance between preserving our past and embracing the growth that comes with experience.

This narrative is a voyage through the labyrinth of the human spirit, where each turn and corridor reveals new aspects of the self, shaped by the passage of time. It is a journey that oscillates between the poles of innocence and experience, naivety and wisdom, exploring how these dualities coexist and shape the individual.

This  show is both a mirror and a window, offering viewers a reflection of their own evolutionary milestones while providing a glimpse into the myriad layers of my existence. Each thread in the rug represents an untold story, each pattern a chapter in the book of my life, each stroke an era, each memory a splatter, where moments of joy, sorrow, triumph, and tribulation are interwoven. This narrative emphasizes the importance of preserving the purity and simplicity of our "child mind" while embracing the complexities and challenges of adult life.