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10/01/08
Text: Lulu Chang
Ahmed Alsoudani is a 33-year-old painter, born in Baghdad, who recently completed his thesis show at the Yale School of Art. Using acrylics, charcoal, oil paint and ink on unprimed canvases, Alsoudani translates his own personal reality into moving scenes of conflict and nationhood. Anthem caught up with Alsoudani to discover how his unique background informs his artistic process.
Can you describe the ideas behind your work?
My paintings portray various life experiences in association with the wars and diaspora. Due to my personal background and nationality, there is an obvious [desire to] read that my paintings relate to the Iraqi war. However, it is [pushed] further to incorporate other emotions such as my current state of being away from home. Oftentimes the unidentifiable places depicted in my paintings reflect my nomadic lifestyle.
What are some of the influences behind your art practice?
I think my education here [in] the United States, especially Yale, has been my main influence. Having the opportunities to view and critically converse about art has broadened my use of visual languages. We are constantly circulating information of other artists and their use of gesture, color, form and composition. This visual thinking has dramatically changed the way I approach my own paintings.
What is something amazing you’ve experienced lately?
Visiting my family members for the first time in thirteen years. I went to Germany for a week to visit my brothers and sister, and the experience was really amazing. Thirteen years…It’s pretty much self-explanatory.
