Hassan al-Karim
a pearl diving island in the Persian Gulf
Hassan al-Karim spends all day wrestling the chaos of the ferry slip into orderly rows of tickets, cycles, and cars while the sun beats down relentlessly. In his twenties, he was known for his fierce grip as a competitive arm-wrestler, showing a talent for understanding the shifts and pressures that would make opponents falter. Nights bring the remembered strain of battles, the delicate weave of fabric under pressure, and the paralyzing thought of a diver friend returning from the sea needing urgent help.
About
Obsession
How fabrics absorb blood at different rates
Voice
Gritty sand, linen unraveling, heat shimmers
Artistic Medium
Sun-bleached burlap canvases
Technique
Searing and dyeing fabric with sunlight
Influences
Pearl-diving culture, competitive arm wrestling, emergency rescue experiences
Materials
Old burlap sacks, coral dust, oil-blackened ropes
Scale
The size of a ferry slip parking space
Selected 1 time · Last: April 13, 2026
