Lover’s Rock
Mindy Solomon Gallery and curator Ché Morales are pleased to present “Lover’s Rock”, a virtual art experience designed by Hoque and Morales and digitally executed by Adriana Avendano, featuring artworks from Asif Hoque’s first solo presentation with the gallery.
“Lover’s Rock” is a modern epic. A world synthesized from Hoque’s life experiences—past, present, and yet to come—set to the backdrop of familiar classical architecture and mythologies. The unorthodox story centers around the journey of two brown-skinned lovers who find their way to one another, guided by mystic spirits that grow alongside their mortal counterparts.
Though the tale follows a seemingly conventional romantic narrative, Hoque’s universe carries a full intentionality to convey the wholeness of each figure, whether it be a lover, or a winged guardian. Each curved and coiffed body at peace — writing a story of self love that paves the way for a procession to harmonious unification.
From deliberate allusions to the flora of Hoque’s home state Florida, an homage to a memorial site in his home country Bangladesh, to the romanesque architecture of his childhood upbringing in Italy; each element that pervades throughout the eerily pristine, ancient site, builds upon the amalgamation of “Lovers Rock” that feels both intimate and foreign, evoking a sense of déjàvu. In this way, Hoque’s idyllic universe simultaneously carries the weight of the unstoppable forces of time. A reminder that our bodies will change, cultures will evolve, people will pass, and the earth will never be the same.
“This is a now thing” — Hoque.
Hoque’s artwork can be found embedded throughout the virtual experience as a companion to the solo presentation of the artwork on view by appointment only at Mindy Solomon Gallery.
About Asif Hoque
Asif Tanvir Hoque (b. 1991) currently lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. He has appeared in numerous group shows. As a Bangladeshi immigrant, who was raised between Rome and South Florida, Hoque’s paintings attempt to figuratively and stylistically combine aspects of multicultural
identity.
His early work highlights his fascination with classical fine arts, but with the progression of his skill and his self-discovery, Hoque challenges his audience to explore aspects of self that are authentic. Hoque hopes to address the unique experience of living in the “in between”.
About Ché Morales
Ché Morales is a Brooklyn-based curator, experiential designer, and self-proclaimed art junkie with an insatiable appetite for unique, mind-blowing aesthetics. Morales’ curatorial approach is to present groundbreaking material in new and thought provoking ways. He believes art should be a seismic experience to remember.
Ranging from large-scale murals and art installations to branded cultural events, Morales’ curatorial work has been covered by Artnet, Juxtapoz, The Creators Project, The Huffington Post, W Magazine and Whitewall Magazine. In 2017, he housed his practice by founding ABSTRKT, a creative studio with a focus on art, design, and experiences. Clients include Nike, New Balance, Adidas, The Standard Hotel, VR’t Ventures, StockX, New York City Ballet, and more.
