Inside the Studio
Qais Al-Sindy
What are the major themes you pursue in your work?
As an expressionist artist, the themes of my paintings are taken from stories and poems. I confront essential conditions of the human experience and struggle, namely the realities and rituals surrounding desire, fear, and hope. I convert my stories to paintings, and the viewers of my art hopefully then turn my paintings into their own stories. I like how people convey their feelings in different ways, and at the end of the day they meet at the same point, which is that all of us are part of humanity.
What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
Be yourself, unify with yourself, and have good confidence in yourself. Then, you will be able to present your art justly and purely to others.
Prefer to work with music or in silence?
I cannot work without music. Music inspires me a lot, especially classical music. Sometimes I follow the rhythm of the cellos and the harmony of violin…my strokes dance cheerfully with the pace of the music.
If you could only have one piece of art in your life, what would it be?
It would be a painting by Willem de Kooning, perhaps one of his works from the 1950’s.
Who are your favorite writers?
John Dewey, Holland Cotter, and Roberta Smith.
What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
Be yourself, unify with yourself, and have good confidence in yourself. Then, you will be able to present your art justly and purely to others.
Prefer to work with music or in silence?
I cannot work without music. Music inspires me a lot, especially classical music. Sometimes I follow the rhythm of the cellos and the harmony of violin…my strokes dance cheerfully with the pace of the music.
If you could only have one piece of art in your life, what would it be?
It would be a painting by Willem de Kooning, perhaps one of his works from the 1950’s.
Who are your favorite writers?
John Dewey, Holland Cotter, and Roberta Smith.
