YOUR ART OFTEN FEATURES INTRICATE DEPICTIONS OF IRAQI ARCHITECTURE. HOW DO YOU APPROACH TRANSLATING THESE HISTORICAL STRUCTURES INTO YOUR VIBRANT, CONTEMPORARY COMPOSITIONS?
Iraqi architecture is the result of successive civilizations, carrying through time an accumulation of creativity and knowledge. From the Sumerian ziggurats to the Abbasid arches and the intricate decorations of Baghdadi houses, these rich historical phases have been a profound source of inspiration for me. Within them, I found enough beauty and strength to develop my own unique style, through which I express this ancient architecture in my contemporary artworks.
YOUR WORK IS DESCRIBED AS A BLEND OF FANTASY AND HOPE. COULD YOU ELABORATE ON HOW THESE THEMES MANIFEST IN YOUR ART AND WHAT THEY SIGNIFY FOR YOU PERSONALLY?
Imagination is the bridge between the viewer and the ideas that exist in my mind. It allows them to step into my personal world. Through this connection, I invite others to experience the realms I create in my art, which are often filled with light, color, and hope. Hope, to me, is the main driving force behind my work. It’s what keeps me moving forward, especially in the face of difficulty. It is the energy that breathes life into my art and sustains my creative journey.
AS AN ARTIST RESIDING IN VIENNA WITH IRAQI ROOTS, HOW DO YOU NAVIGATE AND INTEGRATE THESE DUAL CULTURAL IDENTITIES WITHIN YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?
As an Austrian Iraqi artist, I live a double cultural experience that continuously enriches my artistic vision. The deep cultural heritage of Iraq forms the foundation of my identity, while the vibrant creative atmosphere in Vienna offers me access to some of the world’s most influential artistic movements. This interaction between the two identities is not a conflict, but rather a source of inspiration. It allows me to merge authenticity with innovation, and tradition with contemporary perspectives in my work.
YOU’VE PARTICIPATED IN VARIOUS INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS. HOW HAS GLOBAL EXPOSURE INFLUENCED YOUR ARTISTIC EVOLUTION AND THE RECEPTION OF YOUR WORK?
Participating in international exhibitions has allowed me to expand my artistic perspective and engage with diverse audiences and cultures. This global exposure was not just a form of recognition. It became a strong motivation to deepen and refine my artistic voice. The fact that my work resonates beyond local boundaries affirmed to me that when art is honest, it can transcend borders and languages.
WHAT ROLE DOES COLOR PLAY IN YOUR PAINTINGS? HOW DO YOU SELECT YOUR PALETTE TO CONVEY SPECIFIC EMOTIONS OR NARRATIVES?
Colors play a fundamental role in my work. They are not merely a means of expression but an inseparable part of the painting’s identity and soul. I treat color as a tool to build emotion and create a visual atmosphere that touches memory and feelings. I draw inspiration from the environments I have lived in or been influenced by, from the diversity and stillness of nature to the intricate patterns of old cities and the rhythm of life within them, all the way to my childhood memories in Iraq, filled with rich sensory and symbolic colors.
YOUR ART OFTEN INCLUDES ELEMENTS OF TRADITIONAL FOLK ART. WHAT DRAWS YOU TO THESE MOTIFS, AND HOW DO YOU ADAPT THEM FOR A CONTEMPORARY AUDIENCE?
My imagination is greatly nourished by folk art, as it contains intricate and rich details that reflect the everyday life of people in all its simplicity and complexity. Alongside this is the cultural heritage encompassing customs, traditions, and daily practices that form a deeply rooted collective memory. These elements serve as an inexhaustible source of inspiration for me, telling authentic stories of people’s lives and reflecting their strong connection to their roots and identity. By integrating these motifs and details into my work, I strive to create a balance between authenticity and innovation, allowing me to reintroduce heritage in a contemporary way that resonates with today’s audience and revives traditional aesthetics within a lively, new context.
WHAT MESSAGE OR EXPERIENCE DO YOU HOPE VIEWERS TAKE AWAY FROM ENGAGING WITH YOUR ARTWORK?
I aspire for my work to touch something deep within the viewer, opening a window to worlds and times that may seem distant but come alive through their unique artistic details and intricate geometric patterns reflecting the folk heritage and daily spirit of those ancient cities. I want viewers, regardless of their background, to feel warmth, hope, and perhaps a moment of comfort amid the noise of contemporary life. For me, art is a universal language that transcends borders, carrying a clear message: despite everything, beauty remains present, and the spirit is still capable of remembering and dreaming.
