What Raqib Shaw gained from losing his best friend

Of the many details you will find in the incredible paintings of artist Raqib Shaw, one that instantly connects with every viewer is the inclusion of Raqib's dog. Listen as Raqib describes how losing his best friend taught him a great lesson about attachment, sorrow and loving your fellow man.
The exhibition Ballads of East and West tells stories that take place within hybridized geographies-some evoke childhood memories of a Kashmiri paradise, while others show glistening cities and Boschian landscapes in flames that unnervingly project the crises and disasters facing the world today. In his works, Shaw uses a variety of paints applied with a porcupine quill to depict the precise details of objects from flowers to distant mountains, which are also outlined in embossed gold. Glitter and semiprecious stones further enhance the sublime opulence of the scenes. Shaw’s alluring visual ballads are tinged with the multiple accents of the world, envisioning a place where dichotomies of East and West are subsumed into a realm of imagination and dreams.

[@red_skeleton]

Losing a dog is harder than losing a family member, in my opinion. Dogs are too good for this world.

[@FristArtMuseum]

Unconditional love in its purest form.

[@unglueme]

I lost my cat of 16 years and then a month later my roommate, domestic partner, best friend (though we fought a lot) of 18 years. It was much easier losing the cat, believe me!!! But I understand, if your cat or dog IS your only roommate, then that could be harder than losing a family member or a friend who you don't have that level of attachment with that you do with your dog who really loves you. I don't feel my cat loved me though. I mean, she LIKED me, lol. And she was scared of my roommate.