Footnotes

Provenance:
Property from a prestigious private collection of Iraqi Art, Europe

Published:
Salam Atta Sabri, Mary Angela Schroth, Longing for Eternity: One Century of Modern and Contemporary Iraqi Art, Skira, Milan 2014

"In 1971, Sabri published a manifesto titled Quantum Realism, in which he called for an "application of the scientific method in the field of art". His subsequent work consisted of colour compositions, presenting an indexed codification of reality, devoid of figures and recognisable objects" Suheyla Takesh, Venice Biennale, 2024

Mahmoud Sabri's CACO3 + H2O from 1969 marks a profound shift in the Iraqi artist's career, representing one of his earliest explorations into the realm of quantum compositions. This period, which Sabri initiated in 1969 and expanded throughout the 1970s, signifies his departure from his earlier modernist depictions of daily life in Iraq toward a revolutionary form of geometric abstraction. These works were meticulously constructed based on scientific formulas, exploring atomic and chemical compounds such as calcium carbonate (CACO3) and water (H2O). Sabri's dedication to integrating art and science highlights his unique intellectual approach, positioning him as a visionary within Arab abstraction. This particular work exemplifies the artist's fascination with the underlying structures of the universe, as he sought to capture the essence of material transformation through geometric precision and vibrant colour fields.

In 2024, Sabri's legacy was further solidified when his work was represented for the first time in the main pavilion of the Venice Biennale. A piece from his Quantum Period was chosen, underscoring the critical importance of this body of work in the history of Arab abstraction and international abstract art. His inclusion in Venice reflects a broader re-evaluation of his contributions, not only as a pioneer of Middle Eastern modernism but as a crucial figure in the global narrative of abstract art, where science and art converge. Sabri's visionary approach continues to inspire and challenge conventional interpretations of abstraction, solidifying his place in the annals of art history.