Maysaloun Faraj Documents This Surreal Times of Pandemic, in “Home” Series

Iraqi artist Maysaloun Faraj is a painter, sculptor, and ceramist. She grew up in the USA, where she was born (1955); Baghdad, where she graduated with a BSc in Architecture (Baghdad University 1978); and London where she lives and works (1982-present) and where she was able to further her artistic education. In 2015/17/18 she took up residency at the Cité International des Arts, Paris with a focus to develop her painting and long-standing interest in color and geometric abstraction. She attempts to create connections between East and West cultures through her work, which links her origins.

Maysaloun Faraj’s “Home” Series

With the start of quarantine due to coronavirus, people closed to their homes. Artists’ sources of inspiration were naturally limited, but they still had to feed off somewhere. Naturally, the focus was turned into homes. The houses were turned into studios and production continued with the means available. Faraj was one of those who were able to use this time efficiently, and decided to start a series called “Home”.

Maysaloun Faraj, started to draw still-life paintings of every corner of her house during the quarantine and then expanded the project a little more and started to draw the houses of leading art collectors, patrons, and enthusiasts from all around the world. The artist explained where she was inspired at the beginning of this series and how the process developed:

“Similar to many artists at present, I do not have access to my studio due to the COVID-19 predicament and have resorted to making art that is practical within the means available; small works on paper.

The current ‘Stay Home Save Lives’ message has prompted me on a mission; to draw the interior of my ‘home’ from every vantage point possible; a sort of visual diary documenting this surreal moment in history from a personal point of view.

In a complete departure from my usual large-scale geometric abstract art, I am re-discovering my drawing skills through direct observation but also reflecting on the notion of ‘home’ and its implications. In this, I am finding immense pleasure, peace, and solace. Despite the uncertainty and turmoil of today, there has been an abundance of solidarity, humanity, joy, and beauty across the globe, and ‘earth’ is for the first time, in peace.”

You can check Maysaloun Faraj’s website here, and follow her on Instagram.