Did you decide to be an artist and Why ? 

there’s a huge difference between deciding to produce art and deciding to live as an artist.  I did my MA at St Martins in Illustration and Design having done a BA in Design. i was convinced that this was a safer path and practiced that for a while.  But the more time i had between projects, the more i became interested in different themes and eventually began exploring these in art.  Living as an artist came out of this need to live a life of exploration.

My works are all about different themes depending on when and why i’m producing.  If i had to respond to that question, i guess i would say that i want my work to evoke a sense of freedom and of hope. using devises such as abstracted typography, islamic geometry, large scale juxtaposed with minute scale, futurist colour palettes and cubist figures i want to draw out a kind of euphoria from the viewer.

I always start with writings and small sketches.  This work, The Circle was actually inspired by the following quote by Titus Burckhardt in Fez, Morocco in 1975: “In the islamic perspective, this method of deriving all the vital proportions of a building from the harmonious division of a circle is no more than a symbolic way of expressing tawhid, which is a metaphysical doctrine of divine unity as the source and culmination of all diversity.” I only begin a painting when i am convinced that i am completely obsessed with the subject.  Only then am i sure i will have enough momentum to carry me through the tough stages and to completion.  My influences are most things and people.  Visually, it’s hugely varied and the list would be too long.  As a painter, a steady stream of inspiration comes from Kandinsky, Marc, Matisse, Issam El Said, Picasso, Richter, Futurism and Azzawi, although this grows by the day.

Life in The Diaspora defines most things about me.  Iraq is my centre of gravity in so many ways, and yet i haven’t been back since the war of 1990.  In each work my relationship with this unknown land is discussed in a direct or indirect way.

Because it’s Paris, and the easiest place I’ve ever known to fall in love with

I guess so.  I’ve lived alone for a few years, so I’ve developed some pretty pédant habits

It depends who’s falling, and what they’re falling into.

I’ve stopped asking myself whether a piece is finished.  It’s a frustrating question with no right answer.  One of the most important things about an artist’s practice is the confidence to take a step back and say “that’s done.”

For sure.  when i figure that out, i’ll let you know.

My father.  He makes me proud today, tomorrow. Always. Forever.

I’d quite like to get a studio in Istanbul to produce the next phase of works.  There’s something about the energy and topography that is completely addictive!  The whole place is an adventure.

Well, I had a pretty busy year last year, with a number of shows, including one at the National Portrait Gallery in London and solo show at Cuadro Fine Art Gallery in Dubai.  I am currently living in Jordan doing art workshops in Palestinian refugee camps, where i shall be till march.  Following that i have two shows again in Dubai which will co-inside with Art Dubai week (one of which i shall be showing The Circle) then to Beirut where i shall be again working with refugees for another month or so.  I have had such a productive past few months, i feel i need to take some time to focus on art education, which is another one of my biggest passions.  I shall begin painting again, either in Paris or in Istanbul in May.

Are you doing enough? Are you sure?

My heart is very big, but not that tough, so love effects my works in ways i cannot predict.  Women are very much a part of my work.  Women are the fertile land, the caring sister, the mother, the protector and of course the lover, all of which are described at different times in my work.

you’re very kind…

©J.S

 www.athier.com

Du 17 au 25 mars 2012, le Théâtre du Châtelet présente sa nouvelle production : Orlando Paladino. Un Opéra héroico-comique de Joseph Haydn. “Dans une œuvre mélangeant sérieux et comique, magie et héroïsme, les deux auteurs mènent l’action sur un rythme endiablé dont la virtuosité n’est pas sans annoncer un certain Rossini”.

20 tickets d’or sont cachés au hasard dans les pochettes Wombat. Ils vous font gagner 20 places pour ce fabuleux spectacle. Bonne chance !

Plus d’informations sur http://www.chatelet-theatre.com

Pour fêter cet événement, Philips et Wombat organisent une chasse au trésor ! Un Wombat d’or a été caché au hasard dans une pochette. Il n’y a qu’un seul ticket gagnant, et la personne qui le trouve, remporte un fameux casque Fidelio L1. Vous êtes prêt(e)s ? Bonne chance !!

Dépêchez-vous, il n’y en aura pas pour tout le monde!

La Galerie des Galeries

40, boulevard Haussmann 75009 Paris.

1er étage des Galeries Lafayette. Du mardi au samedi de 11h à 19h. Entrée libre.

Exposition “Antidote 7″ jusqu’au 7 janvier 2012.

“Si vous aimez vos enfants, faites les voyager”,”Si tu es pressé, fais un détour”, “L’eau prends toujours la forme du vase”…

Musée d’Art moderne de la Ville de Paris
11 avenue du Président Wilson – 75116 Paris
Tél : 01 53 67 40 00