Artist Statement
From an early stage in my artistic practice, I felt an instinctive pull toward geometric art. Influences like Piet Mondrian, Frank Stella, Ilya Bolotowsky, and Peter Halley inspired me, but my connection to geometry runs deeper, rooted in my upbringing in Kuwait. There, I was immersed in different forms of local and regional geometric art used in architecture and to the local art of Sedu, a traditional craft of beautifully woven, functional textiles. These fabrics, used for furnishings, tent linings, and rugs, combine utility with intricate design, offering an early lesson in the interplay between form and function.
My background in engineering further shaped my aesthetic sensibility. Over the years, I developed a fascination with the beauty of mechanical and industrial systems, from the exposed pipework of the Centre Pompidou in Paris to the unintended aesthetics of Miami Beach’s utility infrastructure. These inspirations find their way onto my canvases in the form of vibrant, abstract compositions of pipes, systems, machines, data centers, and mechanical parts. Through my work, I seek to highlight the inherent beauty of functional systems, emphasizing crisp lines, pristine finishes, and the interplay of vibrant colors on natural canvas. The natural canvas creates a unique layered effect, where colors seem to float above the surface, offering a contemporary twist on traditional geometric aesthetics.
I draw inspiration from the Neo-Geo movement of the 1980s, which grappled with the duality of technology/industrialization as both a promise and a threat. My work reflects this tension: systems, while solving problems, often generate new ones—environmental concerns being a prime example. In today's information/Digital age and the growing use of AI, the impact goes beyond the environment and is already touching many aspects of our lives as humans cognitively, socially, emotionally, and more. Although my art is of an abstract nature, it underscores the need for thoughtful design and consideration of consequences. Systems can be beautiful and purposeful, but they must also be sustainable. This is the challenge for engineers, designers, and manufacturers today: to create with the future in mind.
Since moving to Miami I have also begun a project of photographing utility projects, construction projects, and pipework in the city. Some of these practical developmental and infrastructure projects or fixtures are necessary for the protection of Miami/Miami Beach from floods or the elements. Others are simply a symptom of the growth that Miami has experienced after the pandemic. My intention in photographing these projects is to capture a moment in the lifetime of these projects or to capture the aesthetic of an otherwise pragmatic utility which often goes entirely unnoticed.