A Moment of the Sky/ Four Humours

Tonico Lemos Auad’s work demonstrates here his interest in medicinal plants and herbs, and reflects the inspiration he draws from the natural environment, his surroundings and delicate architectural structures.

Tonico Lemos Auad’s work demonstrates here his interest in medicinal plants and herbs, and reflects the inspiration he draws from the natural environment, his surroundings and delicate architectural structures. The artist’s work is also informed by the impact of organic and everyday materials on cultural behaviour. For SB13, Lemos Auad’s A Moment of the Sky / Four Humours (2016/2017), a site-specific installation presented in Bait Hussain Makrani, brings to the fore research into medicinal plants and herbs in a garden focusing on species found in the desert landscape. Here, outdoor plants and herbs resonate with the location, local architecture and community in Sharjah. A special structure housing the garden is based on architectural elements found at the site. The project also includes a small library, where the public can access a wide range of books on related subjects, and a programme of talks on the contemporary role and uses of medicinal plants and herbs. Through the creation of this space, where the public can exchange knowledge, pose questions and think together, Lemos Auad explores how a shared experience such as gardening can reflect an ethos of care and healing relevant to challenges that concern us all. This project was part of Sharjah Biennial 13.