Encounters in Ink No. 39 Artwork

In my series "Encounters in Ink: Faces of the Gulf and Arab World," I embark on an artistic exploration of the myriad faces I have encountered during a decade-long journey through the Gulf and Arab countries in the Middle East. Spanning from 2013 to 2023, this collection of portraits is a deeply personal reflection on the people I've met and the stories they carry. Utilizing over-the-waist magazines and printed paper as my canvas, I embrace the sustainable practice of giving new life to discarded materials. This choice is a deliberate nod to the underlying themes of transformation and resilience that permeate my work. With ink, brushes, and markers, I capture not just the physical attributes but the very essence of the individuals I've encountered – their spirit, their culture, and their place within the complex tapestry of Middle Eastern society. This series is more than a mere portrayal of physical likenesses; it's an intimate investigation into the lives of individuals shaped by their social and political contexts. I seek to describe not just the outward appearance but the internal dynamics of these people – how their identities are forged by the world they inhabit and how they navigate the complexities of their environment.