The artwork of Jad Maq is inspired by the struggles in his life including separation, homelessness and starvation, and offers a unique reflection that celebrates one’s inner true self.
We’ve seen the spiral as a repetitive symbol in your work, what does it mean to you?
To me, spirals represent the cycle of the soul – the individual’s journey through life. The way I use spirals in my work is to have them represent the layers of social constructs that were buried in us from a young age. The driving force for the viewer should be a curiosity to unfold those layers and reach a deep connection with oneself and each other.
Talk us through your colour choices, does their darkness serve a message?
Yes it does, the aim of the monochromatic colour palette is to present the viewer with a hint of the individual’s journey through darkness and light.
What does the element of fire represent in your work?
Fire, to me, sparks a sense of a childlike pleasure, which I believe is the force of creation that lies at the heart of our civilization. I enjoy that fire can represent gentleness but also torture, which translates to me as looking to the future without forgetting the past.
If you could be anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I’d go back to the Mediterranean Sea, simply to feel the serenity of the scenery and the ambiance of the soundscape once more.
Who inspires you?
My girlfriend, her resilience inspires me.
Take us back to when you first started. What’s your earliest memory of a paintbrush?
My earliest memory of holding a paintbrush is related to surviving; I was homeless and struggling to eat when a friend gave me money to buy food. I decided to take a risk instead, and bought my first brushes and canvas. As soon as I started painting, I saw how self-expression is infinite, how it is fuelled by the purity of the human essence, and that it is boundless, free of the prejudice of social constructs. I knew that these were the tools to shine light on my darkness. Now I owe my life to the paint brush and my canvas.
If you were to have one superpower what would it be?
Flying.
What unconventional material would you like to explore in your work and why?
Liquid mercury, something about it being dangerous and shiny sparks a curiosity in me.
Discover all the latest art news from the region, including interviews with creatives like Jad Maq, on our Art & Culture pages.
