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.”
HOME: Carla Shen (@carlapshen) New York (Trustee of the Brooklyn Museum, Philanthropist and avid Art Collector) Acrylic on paper 36x26cm 24Mar2021
HOME: Karen Robinovitz (@karenrobinovitz) New York (On the Board of Advisors for the Brooklyn Museum, avid Art Collector and Co-Founder @sloomooinstitute) Acrylic on paper 36x26cm 2Apr2021
HOME: Allegra Mostyn-Owen (@allegrapots) London (Studio Potter, Teacher, Philanthropist, Art Collector and Occasional Writer) Acrylic on paper 36x26cm 6Apr2021
HOME: Twopee Southside (@twopee) a.k.a Pitawat Pruksakit (Leading Thai Hip Hop Artist, Actor and Art Collector) Acrylic on paper 36x26cm 13Apr2021
HOME: Paula Al Askari (@paulaalaskari) Abu Dhabi UAE (Avid Art Collector and a Patron to Art Dubai and Friends of Abu Dhabi Art). Acrylic on paper 36x26cm 19April2021
HOME: Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston (@authormelissadelacruz and @mjohnstonauthor) Los Angles California USA (Authors and Art Collectors). Acrylic on paper 36x26cm 27April2021
HOME: Basma Al Sulaiman (@basmoca) Saudi Arabia, London, Madrid (Founder of BASMOCA, Patron and Art Collector) Acrylic on paper 36x26cm 3May2021
HOME: Mark Hachem (@markhachemgallery) Paris, Beirut, New York (Gallerist, Art Advisor and Collector) Acrylic on paper 36x26cm 6May2021
HOME: Hamza Serafi (@h.serafi) Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (Gallerist, Patron and Collector) Acrylic on paper 36x26cm 11May2021
HOME: Dome of the Rock (Eid Prayers) Al-Quds, Palestine ❤️ Acrylic on paper 36x26cm 14May2021
Toronto based German-Brazilian painter Jeanine Brito’s paintings are often inspired by her recollections, but they revive on the canvases with a theatrical and surreal touch, while discussing the fragility of memories, and how they turn into merely a feeling when the details fade.
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.
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