AR TIS T Qais Al-Sindy G

ood art tells a story. It draws the viewer in, causing him or her to analyze the depths of their own

experiences. For Qais Al-Sindy, this aspect of art is extremely important. “I consider my paintings as mirrors,” he explained. “I turn the stories, tales, human passions, and suffering into art. Here, my role is over. Then it’s the role of the viewer. They have to convert the artworks into impressions and stories from their own lives.”

Al-Sindy likens this process to “de-coding” the

artwork, stating, “Every viewer will reflect his or her own life experiences onto the painting. Then it will be his mirror. Its only limit is the imagination of the viewer. This is why all of us see something different in the same piece of art.”

Originally hailing from Baghdad, Iraqi art and culture greatly influenced Al-Sindy’s artistic development.

“Iraq, also called Mesopotamia, is widely considered to be the cradle of civilization. I feel that art is built in to the genes of the Mesopotamians.”

Though Al-Sindy creates as an Abstract Expressionist, he still draws inspiration from the murals, sculptures, and poetry of his homeland. “I meditate on these treasures,” he said. “I consider them to be good assets, though there is no similarity between them and my own art.”

Al-Sindy’s work explores the tension and dynamics present in issues of social justice. Using a layered wet-on-wet technique with acrylics and oils, Al-Sindy paints to reflect the beauty that can emerge from the turbulent history of his home country and the rest of the world. “I paint hope. I portray peace and I depict love. I feel very sad with what’s going on in the world. The human issues are what motivate and inspire me the most. I protest against the bad things in this world by showing beauty on my canvases. What inspires me is to build and enhance understanding, to bring about respect, enable sharing, and deepen friendship between those of different faiths and cultures.”

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Exclusive Collections will exhibit Al-Sindy’s work starting November 13 in the Beverly Hills Gallery. “I think it’s a vital opportunity for me to have a major solo exhibition at ECG in Beverly Hills,” he said. “My art will be exposed to a new crowd of art-lovers and collectors.”

FEA TURE