Ibrahim Mahama Designs the Purple Hibiscus Installation
Amy Duong — April 11, 2024 — Art & Design
Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama works in collaboration with hundreds of collaborators to design the Purple Hibiscus installation. This is all sewn by hand and results in a large-scale bespoke pink fabric that covers the side of London's Barbican Center. It is seen on the lakeside terrace side of the building -- it marks the first bright tonal installation by Mahama with 2,000 square meters of cloth.
Mahama tells Dezeen at the Barbican, "Why not pink? The building itself is grey and the Barbican is quite grey. And I have never made a work with this kind of colour before, so I thought why not use something quite strong. I've never had the courage to use colours like this in public on a large-scale work, but I've been collecting these materials for quite a long time."
Image Credit: The Barbican
Mahama tells Dezeen at the Barbican, "Why not pink? The building itself is grey and the Barbican is quite grey. And I have never made a work with this kind of colour before, so I thought why not use something quite strong. I've never had the courage to use colours like this in public on a large-scale work, but I've been collecting these materials for quite a long time."
Image Credit: The Barbican
Trend Themes
1. Bespoke-fabric Art Installations - A trend emerging in the art world is the creation of large-scale bespoke fabric installations that add vibrant colors and textures to urban landscapes.
2. Community-collaboration Projects - There is a growing trend of artists collaborating with hundreds of individuals to bring handcrafted installations to life, fostering a sense of community and togetherness in the artistic process.
3. Creative Use of Color in Art - Artists are exploring disruptive opportunities by boldly incorporating bright and unconventional colors in their large-scale works, challenging traditional artistic norms and expectations.
Industry Implications
1. Art and Design - The art and design industry can leverage bespoke fabric installations to create unique and immersive experiences for audiences, redefining the boundaries of traditional art forms.
2. Textile Manufacturing - Textile manufacturing stands to benefit from collaborative projects that require the creation of large quantities of specialized fabrics, opening up new markets and design possibilities.
3. Urban Development - Urban development industries can capitalize on the use of vibrant colors in public art installations to revitalize spaces, engage communities, and foster creativity in city planning and design.
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