The Angel and the Body

In Garden of Murmurs, Malik Thomas Jalil Kydd presents a body of work that intertwines painting, drawing, and textile art to explore male identity through forms of intimacy and spirituality. The exhibition, hosted at Carbon 12 gallery in Dubai, features slightly larger-than-life male figures, a scale the artist refers to as “angelic,” set within silent, layered landscapes. The primary medium is raw silk, stitched into panels that transcend the physical limits of the frame, evoking a sense of expansion and continuity. The silk, dyed with sage, serves not only as material but also as a ritual practice, imparting an olfactory and spiritual dimension to the works. Kydd employs a combination of oil, pastel, charcoal, and natural pigments to create surfaces that oscillate between transparency and density. Charcoal soaked in linseed oil takes on a pastel-like consistency, allowing gestural marks that contrast with the stains absorbed by the silk. The works go beyond physical representation; they delve into themes of love, care, and memory. In They Invaded at Night, one figure leans on another, suggesting a relationship that transcends sensuality, touching on empathy and human connection. Through the use of natural materials and sacred symbolism, Kydd invites the viewer into a sensory and reflective experience, creating a space for empathy and understanding of the complexities of identity and desire.