Untitled

Artist: Iqbal
Medium: Oil on Wood
Size: 24 × 12 in (60.96 × 30.48 cm)
Year: 1989

A striking example of abstract figuration, where geometric fragmentation and bold color harmonize to evoke rhythm, movement, and focus. The composition centers on a stylized figure engaged in playing a drum, capturing a moment of concentrated activity while transforming the human form into an abstract, visually dynamic entity. The figure, slightly off-center, leans forward toward the instrument, with hands placed on the drumhead, suggesting a deliberate engagement and a sense of temporal immediacy.

The background and surroundings are composed of interlocking geometric shapes, creating visual rhythm and contrast against the figure. Sharp lines delineate sections of color, establishing a clear separation between foreground and background while contributing to the overall sense of structured energy. The flat, almost two-dimensional presentation emphasizes the interplay of shapes and colors over perspectival depth, reinforcing the abstract quality of the work. The figure itself is articulated through simplified geometric forms that convey movement and fluidity without relying on anatomical accuracy. Facial expressions and emotions are not overtly depicted; instead, the posture, angle, and gesture of the figure imply intensity and focus. The drum, depicted with minimal geometric abstraction, anchors the scene and visually connects the figure to the surrounding environment, creating a balanced composition in which the interplay of positive and negative space is carefully considered.

Iqbal’s technique in oil on wood is marked by precise application, producing well-defined shapes and striking color contrasts. Vibrant hues interplay with more subdued tones to create visual tension and harmony, a hallmark of his abstract style. The Cubist-inspired approach emphasizes geometric forms, dynamic composition, and a synthesis of figure and environment that challenges traditional representation. The setting remains deliberately undefined, allowing the figure to exist within a rhythmic, abstract space rather than a literal environment. The diffuse lighting and uniform tonal application highlight the graphic quality of the shapes and colors. The contemplative and introspective, capturing a meditative moment of musical engagement. Untitled exemplifies Iqbal’s ability to merge abstraction with human presence, creating a composition that is at once formally rigorous, expressive, and poetically suggestive.