Elias Izoli's Circus

Ayyam Gallery presents Inside Out '25, the highly anticipated exhibition marking Elias Izoli's return to painting after a long hiatus. His new series addresses the "circus of life" as a powerful metaphor for individual and collective experience, particularly the plight of Syrians. A childhood fascination transforms into a profound reflection on the unpredictability of existence and the complexity of survival. Through figures such as acrobats, clowns, and magicians, Izoli constructs a visual universe that symbolizes the subtle line between joy and salvation. The circus troupe becomes a metaphor for the social fabric: each character represents a fragment of the whole. Behind festive smiles lie dark motivations that are revealed only upon closer inspection. The public is invited to enter beyond the fortress walls, into an insider's view of reality. The paintings, characterized by his unmistakable fragmented color technique, convey oppression and resistance, illusions and hidden truths. This series marks a turning point in Izoli's artistic journey, yet without betraying his roots. A return to painting that engages with previous visions, already renowned for their emotional introspection and ability to transform intimacy into a collective experience. In one of the central works, a contemporary reinterpretation of Leonardo's Salvator Mundi emerges in the form of a clown, embodying the concept of a wild card in an unpredictable game, capable of interrupting the spectacle of conflicting passions. Here, manipulation becomes the narrative's core: vibrant colors and playful gestures seduce the viewer, yet mask the harshness of reality. In this choreographed chaos, joy and despair coexist in perfect balance.