write the year out

self portrait . 2023

it's always a shock when the year comes to a close, asking ourselves how did it pass so fast! it feels like there aren't enough months in the year anymore to achieve one's goals and promises. but at the same time, we all wish for the year to end when things get too much. and with the current terrible news from around the world, this year couldn't end any faster...

personally, 2023 was a mixed one. there were a series of losses – from losing my studio to the passing of loved ones, and multiple canceled projects. but at the same time, it was a year where i kept reminding myself of how truly blessed i've been despite all the losses. one of the greatest things that happened this year was finally traveling again since covid. after three years of not leaving dubai, i got on a plane for both work and leisure, and it's been great to experience the world again outside of the dubai bubble. on a professional front, things were quite slow in comparison to previous years. but the projects i did work on were some of my favourites, and also allowed me to hone in and grow my skills as an illustrator, printmaker and textile artist. please do check out my previous posts to see the projects i worked on this past year.

with that said, i can't have an end of year blog post without spilling truths about the local art scene and it's many disappointments. i probably sound like a broken record at this point, but every time i think the art scene has outdone itself with its share of let downs, it continues to surprise me with more disappointments! at this point, you can't make this s*** up! here is my 2023 list of disappointments and views about the arts:

・losing my artist studio abruptly earlier this year left a little bitter taste that hasn't gone away. besides my nearest and dearest who helped with moving, storage and providing alternative working spaces at short notice, there was absolutely no support from the wider art community.

・it seems there's only interest in artists and their works when presented as a spectacle in scale and takes up half the room (they like to call these works 'monumental'), or works that respond to sexy, annual buzzwords like 'anthropocene', 'sustainability', 'diaspora', or the 'global south' to name a few! i personally don't have a problem with such works, i just wish there was an equal amount of appreciation and space to highlight works that are created outside these conditions.

・i sometimes feel the local art world is only interested in work that are 'conceptual' and present themselves in abstraction, steering away from anything representational. i wonder if that's because it keeps things 'safe' and doesn't ruffle any feathers as the works are open to interpretation by viewers. or maybe everyone's pretending they're super intelligent and think the answers to all the world's problems are found by staring at a cube in a white cube!

・the bar is so low – to be praised and rewarded as an artist is to be mediocre at best. it doesn't matter what your work is about, or how good it is, it comes down to a successful social media campaign and putting the name and face first, not allowing the work to stand on its own or speak for itself. it seems this support for mediocrity is a wider issue, with friends outside the art bubble complaining about the same thing happening in their industries as well.

・i've come to realise that everyone is dispensable in the arts. institutions, galleries, curators – it seems that anyone with some position of power dictates trends and decisions, and you're only rewarded when you start ticking someone else's boxes. the minute you don't, eyes wander to the next person who will. people don't want to listen unless it's exactly what they want to hear...

・it irks me knowing that the region is only of interest to many when there's a big fat paycheque waiting! the amount of people that have popped in and out this past year, who have received support and granted 'golden' opportunities, only to take space from others who've called the region home and haven't reaped the same rewards. it's unfair. i don't know when will we break the habit of 'looking outwards'... 

・it seems people have lost a moral compass. i think this was the year where i've heard and personally seen some of the wildest stories coming from the art world. it's pretty disgusting the amount of nepotism, scandals, jealousy, exhausting every opportunity within the arts only to bad mouth institutions and individuals, pretending you have a political stance about current global affairs only to realise it's all performative – it's all quite toxic. because of it, i've come to the conclusion that my existence within the art ecosystem is in the periphery, away from all this madness. i have no interest in being in the middle of it all, and it's been made very clear that many don't have an interest in me either. to those that are genuine, and may be interested in working together, you know where to find me...

and with that, i have to say good bye to 2023. once again, i'm so blessed to have worked on some of my favourite projects this past year, and it wouldn't have been possible without the support of individuals and institutions who believe in my work and what i do – y'all know who you are, and i can't thank you enough. i hope 2024 has some exciting opportunities, with genuine collaborations and relationships waiting to happen. until then, season's greetings and happy new year to everyone reading this. may 2024 be peaceful and good to us all...

make me dance, cats

make me dance, cats . 2023

'make me dance, cats' at design dispatch . 2023

here's a newly commissioned artwork for a group show i'm happy to be a part of – 'design dispatch', curated by möbius design studio, is a themed exhibition on the power of the graphic t-shirt, and how the graphic tee can be a tool for communicating messages, expressions and enabling conversations. the exhibition is inspired by research on the graphic t-shirt by egyptian illustrator and graphic designer mohieddine ellabbad.

as someone who's gotten multiple comments on the t-shirts i wear (and is also a collector of graphic tees), i was really happy to be invited to be a part of this show. my contribution was a fun illustration on my love for dance, and cats! and it's also a little wink to (arabic) dancing cat memes that are in abundance online. given the current state of the news from around the world, i hope this brings a little smile on peoples faces. 

the entire exhibition is quite fun, so if you're in or around abu dhabi, please make sure to head to manarat al saadiyat to check out the show in person. the exhibited t-shirts are gigantic, so be prepared! 'design dispatch' runs from 12 december 2023 to 23 february 2024. for more information on the exhibition, click here. lastly, thank you to möbius design studio for having me on board.

three queens

three queens (page 1) . 2023

three queens (page 2) . 2023

three queens (page 3) . 2023

three queens (page 4) . 2023

three queens (page 5) . 2023

three queens (page 6) . 2023

 

'three queens' published in corniche volume 5 . 2023

i'm happy to share my latest short comic for the fifth volume of 'corniche', an annual comics anthology published by the sharjah art foundation. when i'm asked what 'three queens' is about, i say it's a story about three queens waiting for a disco ball to hatch! readers can interpret the story however they want. but for me, it's a metaphor for the things and people that make up my world, and i probably wouldn't be the person i am today without them. i combined things that carry meaning to me and came up with a bizarre story with a lot of heart. i'm really proud of this one and i hope whoever reads it loves it as much as i do...

corniche volume 5 is now available. make sure to grab a copy – it's a beautiful edition with amazing talent. i'm so honoured to be included in all five volumes so far! i can't thank the corniche team enough for all their effort and support through the years. a huge thank you to the super talented nasir nasrallah for including me in every edition so far, as well as his beautiful efforts in creating the cover artwork for each volume.

ending my post with the accompanying illustrated portrait for the contributors page – it's giving...

portrait . 2023

palestine 2023 for art jameel shop

'palestine 2023' for art jameel shop . 2023

i was invited by the jameel art centre to contribute to the art jameel shop's 'posters for palestine' campaign. i'm super honoured to be a part of this, alongside some of my favourite friends and industry peers. the campaign includes newly commissioned posters by a select group of artists and designers, including myself! i reworked my illustration from my last post (see here), from being less aggressive to a more optimistic and positive visual. 

sales for each poster will directly be donated to the emirates red crescent's 'tarahum – for gaza' relief campaign (donate now to the campaign by clicking on link here). the posters are currently available at the art jameel shop pop up during dubai design week at dubai design district (d3). the pop up runs from 7 – 12 november 2023, so make sure to go down there and grab copies of your favourite posters.

palestine

 

palestine . 2023

i recently remembered a poster illustration i had worked on back in 2003, as a present for a friend who was a strong supporter of the palestinian cause. with the current ongoing atrocities in the news, i fished out my old sketchbook, and felt the urge to redraw what i found in the yellowing pages. 

it's been twenty years since the drawing, and nothing has changed. my heart is heavy witnessing the ongoing genocide of innocent palestinians by their evil oppressors. the politicians and media of the 'free world' are forever complicit in the mass killings of innocent lives, and the atrocities they have enabled in the region for decades. 

if you're reading this and feeling helpless, don't give up. we are blessed and privileged – do your part by donating aid, sharing correct information, read history, and most importantly, stand up for what is right...

to palestine – may you have the strength to continue to resist, and one day be set free. i'm ending this short post with the original sketch below from twenty years ago...

palestine (sketch) . 2003

happy tension day

kylie tension . 2023

i've been taking a break from posting things online and avoiding social media. i wanted to stay away longer, but there's only one thing that can pull me back in, and that is my favourite pop star in the world – kylie minogue.

happy tension day! kylie's 16th studio album 'tension' is officially out today, and i thought i'd commemorate her latest with a little illustration of the gorgeous album cover. also, 16 is my favourite number! i've mentioned this before – kylie is really hard to draw! but i was really happy with how this turned out. if you're seeing this kylie, i hope you like it too...

listening to new music on their release day brings me so much joy. there's a lost appreciation for indulging in music and appreciating physical albums which the digital sphere has taken away. to play a cassette tape, cd or vinyl without skipping songs, exploring the album insert and reading lyrics or looking at beautiful photography and art direction, reading the artist's dedication – the kids today will never understand how great these moments are. 

if you don't hear from me, i'll be tucked somewhere listening to the album on repeat and just taking it all in...

dubai roundabouts

deira clocktower . 2023

the flame monument . 2023

fish roundabout . 2023

earlier this year i worked on a series of illustrations of some of dubai's iconic roundabouts. they were meant to be part of a larger project that unfortunately didn't come to fruition (so far). i really liked how these illustrations turned out, and didn't want them go unseen. so i thought i would release them independently as a series of digital prints, available for sale very soon.

i focused on these three particular roundabouts because they're structures i would regularly encounter while being driven around in the neighbourhood of deira as a young passenger with my family. the deira clocktower and fish roundabout still stand strong today, but the flame monument has been moved off the streets and now stands in a park. i still encounter these structures today, and they remind me of the very few things in dubai that have survived the city's many changes over the last 50 years. i find them extremely beautiful and timeless.

stay tuned for future announcements once the 'dubai roundabouts' prints are available for purchase...

dance distortion

dance distortion . 2023

dance distortion (prints) . 2023

here's a recent stamp print i worked on as part of my participation in aisha alabbar gallery's printmaking exhibition 'press print!'. as the main exhibition comes to a close on sep 7 (see earlier post about the exhibition here), i wanted to share this new print i worked on for the 'press print! print exchange box' – a limited edition box which includes a4 sized prints from all eight participating artists. the box is an edition of 25, and are available for purchase through the gallery for a limited time.

the new print is an extension of my works on display in the show – capturing a moment in dance. for these prints, i changed it up a bit by adding extra limbs to the dancing figure to make it look like multiple dance poses and the body in motion. it also looks like a mythic figure – some sort of dancing god perhaps...?! i'm really happy with how these prints turned out in the end.

if anyone wants to know more information about the 'press print! print exchange box' or interested in getting one, head to the product page via the gallery's website here. i've seen some of the prints done by the other artists, and trust me when i say, this box is special...

noah

noah . 2023

i've been a little quiet over here as i seek refuge in the shade while the terrible summer heat is upon us! things have been slow, and i've been enjoying this summer pace, focusing on a few projects that i hope to share soon, and taking everyday as it comes. i'm not a fan of summer which is why i don't travel during this time, and enjoy the months where dubai is at it's most quiet while everyone's away...

one of the illustrations i worked on during this time was of my dear friend noah pilkington, who was taken away from us earlier this year. i met noah when i used to work at tashkeel in the early 2010s, and we were work colleagues during our time there. our relationship grew beyond the office, and we became really close friends and had a brotherly love i rarely come across. we had each others back, and mentored each other during tough times in our 20s (a decade i personally never enjoyed). he was a great guy and an inspiration – my peak fitness was thanks to him and his passion for the gym and staying healthy. once we quit our jobs to take on the next chapters of our lives, we did lose touch – something i deeply regret. it was no ones fault, it's just how life goes. i was always so proud to hear about his achievements and how he followed his dreams.

and then there was the sudden news of noah's passing in january. i don't think i've completely comprehended that he's gone. it's never easy to hear about a passing of a loved one, but time heals as they say. the last week before sharing this post, i've been seeing and hearing his name everywhere i go. i wonder if this is his way of saying hello? if it is, i'm listening and saying hi back and i miss and love him very much. the illustration above was created by the request of the pilkington family, who have been a part of my life for quite some time. it shows the noah i knew best, my friend, colleague and brother. rest well noah...

i end this post with a request – life is short and precious. always make time to check up on your loved ones.

authentic marks

'lovers on the dance floor 1' at authentic marks . 2023

'lovers on the dance floor 2' at authentic marks . 2023

i'm happy to announce my stamp prints lovers on the dance floor are currently exhibited in the fifth edition of 'authentic marks & glows', a printmaking exhibition organised by shaghaf group – a local based community promoting the art and love of printmaking! the exhibition runs from 15 – 22 of july, in building 3 at dubai design district, from 11am – 8pm.

i know the summer heat is pretty bad, but if you happen to be in the area, please stop by and check out the exhibition. it's a humble show highlighting works by both students and practitioners who work within printmaking. there's also open workshops for anyone to explore and experiment with printmaking techniques, and a little shop selling totes and other printed matter. thank you shaghaf group for having me in the show – much appreciated.

i'm ending this short post with the 'authentic marks' e-vite below, which includes exhibition details and information. it also includes artwork details by my friend diego mendoza, who is also participating in the exhibition, and who's been my motivator this year to make and participate in more printmaking themed shows & exchanges. thanks diego!

'authentic marks & glows' exhibition e-vite . 2023 (courtesy of shaghaf group)

our companions

companions illustrated by khalid mezaina . 2023

our companions . 2023 (by khalid mezaina + kyoung mi ahn)

our companions (details) . 2023

scroll books exhibition at the sharjah booth, seoul international book fair . 2023

'our companions' scroll book (detail) . 2023

'our companions' scroll book (detail) . 2023

i'm so happy to finally share my favourite project i worked on this year. i was invited by the sharjah book authority to collaborate with the super talented illustrator kyoung mi ahn on an illustrated scroll book under the theme 'our companions'. the project was launched at the seoul international book fair where the city of sharjah was hosted as their guest of honour.

earlier this year, kyoung mi flew over from seoul to sharjah where we met for the first time to collaborate on this project. we thought of how animals have been companions to humans throughout time and history. with that in mind, we illustrated a number of real and mythical animals, representing both our cultural backgrounds. we also wanted to give a nod to the rich history of manuscripts and book illustration from both the middle and far east.

i can't begin to explain how proud i am of the final outcome of this project. i feel i evolved my illustration style and kyoung mi pushed me to new heights with my stamping technique where i combined both stamping and drawing for the first time which led to amazing results! i also had a chance to fly out to seoul for the first time and attend the book fair as well as explore the city which was so fun and inspiring. it was great seeing my work presented to a new audience outside of the emirates. i hope whoever saw our final scroll book enjoyed it as much as we did working on it.

thank you to the sharjah book authority and mohamed mahdi for the invitation and opportunity to participate in this project. it was truly a wonderful experience and i hope we can work together again in the near future. lastly, a huge thank you to kyoung mi ahn – a true collaborator and friend i'm so happy to add to my life. thank you for everything, and we will work together again for sure!

deep in d.a.n.c.e.

deep in d.a.n.c.e. . 2023

deep in d.a.n.c.e. (relief print on paper) . 2023

deep in d.a.n.c.e. (relief print on paper detail) . 2023

deep in d.a.n.c.e. (relief print on texile) . 2023

deep in d.a.n.c.e. (relief print on textile detail) . 2023

it's the start of a new month and i am happy to share my new body of work – 'deep in d.a.n.c.e.', a series of relief (stamp) prints both on paper and textiles. the new works are currently on show at aisha alabbar gallery's printmaking themed summer show 'press print!'.

'deep in d.a.n.c.e.' is a continuation of my ongoing exploration in stamp printing of capturing moments of dance and joy. i'm really happy with the end result of these prints, considering i'm not working from a designated studio at the moment. these prints were worked on from home, cafes, and friends apartments!

if in dubai, please make sure to stop by the gallery to check out the works in person, as well as the entire exhibition. it's a really great show, and i'm so honored to be exhibiting amongst some of my favourite people in the art world that i call friends. the exhibition runs until 7 september 2023. there's also a line up of programming scheduled during the duration of the show, which includes tours, talks and reading groups. for all the details, please check out the 'press print!' exhibition page via the gallery's website here.

a huge thank you goes to the aisha alabbar gallery team for all their help and efforts in bringing this exhibition together, and inviting me to be a part of it.

press print!

'press print!' exhibition e-announcement . 2023 (courtesy of aisha alabbar gallery)

*** here's another participation announcement ***

i'm happy to share my participation in an upcoming summer group exhibition titled 'press print!' at aisha alabbar gallery. 'press print!' will showcase works by eight artists (including myself) in the realm of printmaking. i'm truly honoured to be exhibiting with some of my favourite, talented people in town. i'll be exhibiting new stamp prints on paper and textiles, continuing my explorations in capturing moments of dance. stay tuned to a future post where i share the final works.

until then, if you're in dubai, please come down to the opening of 'press print!' at aisha alabbar gallery on wednesday, 31 may 2023, from 6 – 9 pm. for more information on the exhibition and programming, check out the exhibition page via the gallery's website here.

see you all at 'press print!'...

safha art book fair

safha art book fair announcement . 2023

i'm happy to announce my participation in the first edition of the 'safha art book fair' in abu dhabi. happening during 26 – 29 may at the cultural foundation, i'll be there selling some of my self published zines, comics and other printed matter alongside other local based entities and independents showcasing their love for print. if you've missed out on getting your hands on some of my publications old + new, now's your chance! 

for more information on the safha art book fair, check out the event page here. there's also a series of talks and workshops scheduled for the duration of the fair (check out and click on images below).

looking forward to seeing you all at safha – if you're in abu dhabi in the end of may, please pass by and say hi!

camo dance

camo dance . 2023

camo dance (prints) . 2023

it's been awhile since i participated in an international print exchange. it was during my undergrad years and i worked on a series of screen printed postcards, in hopes of receiving really cool prints in return by other artists and printmakers from around the world. but unfortunately, a lot of my own prints came back instead! it was disappointing, and i never wanted to participate in print exchanges ever again. but thanks to my friend and talented printmaker diego mendoza, i was encouraged to rethink print exchanges and convinced me to take part (thanks diego!).

i worked on these three coloured stamp prints titled 'camo dance' for the 9inhandpress 2023 print exchange. i created 15 of these hand stamped prints, signed and numbered and ready to be shared. i really liked how these turned out. i hope whoever around the world gets a hold of these will like them too.

stay tuned for updates on the print exchange once it happens. i'm so excited to receive prints from others – here's hoping it works out this time around...

ramadan so far...

ramadan kareem . 2022

here's a short little post – i realised i never shared the artwork above when i worked on it last year. it was created for one of my favourite clients, coco jalila for their ramadan announcement. i really liked the simplicity of the overall artwork, and was hoping to see it printed as one of their chocolate boxes – maybe next ramadan?

speaking of ramadan, hope everyone observing is having a blessed holy month so far. now that i don't have a private studio to work from (the space where my studio was based has temporarily closed for building renovations), my ramadan consists of hot desk-ing around dubai, working on my laptop and catching up on projects + personal errands. i really like how calm things have been, giving me a chance to focus on self care and going through my 'things to do' list which i have avoided for months! i hope this streak of productivity continues.

until then, stay tuned for updates on projects i worked on over the last couple of months. i can't share anything just yet, so keep an eye out for upcoming posts...

fawazine now available at...

'fawazine' stockist . 2023

ramadan kareem to those observing – may it be a blessed month for all. keeping with the theme of the holy month, i thought i'd share where 'fawazine' is currently stocked and available for sale around town.

i'm really happy to announce that copies of 'fawazine' are available at area beige, the art jameel shop (in-store and online) and hobb (in-store and online). make sure to pass by any of these stores to grab a copy or two! copies are also available through me, so feel free to reach out. and if you're friends with any of the contributing artists, make sure to ask them nicely!

lovers on the dance floor

lovers on the dance floor . 2023

 

here's a new pair of stamped prints of silhouettes in moment of dance. i really enjoy the process of stamp printing, and have been working on a quite a few prints recently for potential exhibitions and print exchanges. more on that when it happens...

as many of you know, i'm never the one to celebrate valentine's day, and i have a tendency to dislike a lot of people! but on this occasion, i felt like working on something that commemorated love. with recent news of the terrible earthquake that impacted the lives of many in türkiye and syria (along with other ongoing tragedies in the world), i wanted to make something to remind us to show more love and care to those that matter. the world we live in is wild, and at times really hard and can make anyone feel lonely or helpless. which is why we should all remember to show a little love and care whenever possible. a little love goes a long way – reach out to your loved ones, donate when you can to charity and aid relief, and listen to people who feel unheard.

sending you all my love and blessings...