Artist Statement
Having lived in six countries, I find it hard to determine where home is. My upbringing has been defined by a series of adjustment periods that have shaped and reshaped my outlook on life.
My work reflects my experiences as someone who belongs everywhere and nowhere. For this reason, my focus has changed over the years and I have explored topics such as relationships, mental health, and personal identity. As I await my next adjustment period, I seek to promote inclusivity, share joy, and make my community proud.
Home, Oil on wood, nails, thread, 2016
Having lived in Bahrain for many years of my life, the culture and customs of the island have become a part of me. This piece depicts an image of a palm tree - which is iconic of the middle east - on a traditional Bahraini door that I bought from a junk yard. I used nails and thread to reflect the temporal relationship I have with the island. Although I can attribute much of my identity to my upbringing in Bahrain, at the same time, I feel more and more disconnected from my former self as I grow older.
Neoculture, Acrylic plastic, dyed sheets, LED lights, mirror, 2016
Driving around Bahrain, you will see that some parts of the island are defined by ancient rock formations and archaeological sites, but drive just thirty minutes North and you will find yourself in the Financial District most known for its glass skyscrapers and bright lights that scatter the skyline at night. This stark contrast is what inspired me to create Neoculture. By positioning the mirror at the base of the cube, my image is reflected in the center of the rock formations. This is representative of my place in Bahrain and the significance of the country in my life.
Ashes, Oil on canvas, tracing paper, newspaper, acrylic, 2015-16
Ashes was inspired by the devastation that war can inflict on a country and its land. I spent countless hours trying to perfect the painting in an effort to capture the beauty of the landscape. I came back to it a year later after exploring themes of war and identity and made a hasty decision to burn the canvas with a blow torch. In hindsight, my artistic process mirrored the ravages of war and the sudden yet permanent damage that it brings.
