Artist Statement

<< STATEMENT >> << RESUME CV >>  << RECENT WORK >>  << ART ARCHIVE >>

Figurative Abstraction Artist Statement
My artistic journey is a profound exploration of formal elements, drawing influence from various cultures intertwined with my new American identity, creating deeply evocative work combining art-historical, cultural figures and patterns with personal references to create work that is characterized by a vivid interplay between the composed and considered, on the one hand, and the spontaneous and instinctive, on the other. Developed over time through a deliberate process of shape and color accumulation and adaptation. My recent works are marked by an unassuming yet assertive sense of compositional balance whereby the interrelation of individual parts–such as patterns, shapes, colors, lines, patches that at times outline shapes and forms, and at others float freely and participate in a global artistic conversation while maintaining a distinct voice.

My canvases are democratic spaces, devoid of illusion or perspective, where anything can be depicted. They explore cross-cultural dynamics within communities, aiming for better cultural understanding and bridge-building. My work is a vivid journey through my life and the world around me as both an immigrant and an American. I integrate these influences into my daily practice, reflecting the evolution of American culture and my ongoing development of a new American identity.

The Chaos and Aleppo to Kyiv series narrative (2015-2019)
My artistic journey is a profound exploration of human emotions, heritage, and social concerns. As an artist of Syrian descent, I am committed to fostering connections to diverse communities. My work delves into the cross-cultural dynamics, striving for better cultural understanding and bridge-building. The work is steeped in iconic undertones, drawing from my fascination with my heritage, migration, and American culture. The canvases are democratic spaces devoid of illusion or perspective, depicting the imperfect world through my new American identity.

I adeptly integrate elements into my daily artistic practices, reflecting my social concerns. The work has gestural, figurative, and abstract motifs, blending references of conflicts from Aleppo to Ukraine with urban scenes of collapsed buildings and debris. The work reveals haunting and disturbing scenes painted with a palette of colorful and earth tones that emerge from the canvas with a vigorous life force.