The microscopic remains the theme pursued by Qaliby in his latest works. His paintings transform microorganisms into portrait, movement, and interaction. They reveal deeper and advanced exploration of his previous concept, being the reflection of human and micro lives.
In Unnamed series, microorganisms (bacteria) are visualized in a form of portrait. Each painting of this series shows distinctive shape, color, and facial expression. This series illustrates multi-diversity found in every microorganism, mirroring diverse culture, characteristics, and lifestyle of human beings.
Moreover, Qaliby also contemplates the nature and characteristic of microorganisms. Bacteria perform many important ecosystem services such as decomposing organic residues which can improve soil structure, recycle soil nutrients and water, thus promoting soil fertility.
Qaliby envisages the contradictory nature of microorganisms as the reflection of humans’ characteristic. Destruction and exploitation of the earth as well as war they wage are contradictions to earth conservation and preservation they do.
Life balance is instrumental to the advancement of civilization. Wars which bring destructions to many may encourage better technology and civilization development. The mistakes committed in the past can bring new and better civilization, such as abolition of slavery, better recognition on human rights and better social structure in the society.
This analogy can also be seen in the development of health technology which is triggered by bacterial disease. Humans have the ability to balance and control their body in fighting the disease. This ability is the reflection of the earth that has the ability to balance and control the nature from many catastrophes, such as natural disaster or even pandemic.
In addition to Unnamed series, Qaliby also illustrates the interaction between humans and microorganisms in his works. He portrays bigger bacteria gobbling smaller ones or a culture of bacteria circling the universe. In this series, he visualizes humans’ characteristic and the balance of the earth through interaction and movement.
By and large, Qoliby’s new works illustrate humans’ characteristic and their actions to the nature. He realizes that every humans’ action contributes both good and bad impacts to the universe. After all, humans have significant roles in supporting the earth to regenerate and evolve. And for humans to take a good care the earth, mother earth often sends kind reminders in a form of natural disaster and pandemic.
The interaction oh humans and earth are like a double-edged sword. However, the final end is to achieve the balance in the universe. Through the visualization of microscopic organisms, Qoliby reminds us that humans are only tiny and vulnerable creatures living in a vast universe.
