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Qais Al-Sindy is an Iraqi-born artist currently living and working in California, USA. Born in Baghdad in 1967, Al-Sindy pursued a degree in engineering before shifting to art, obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Academy of Fine Arts in Baghdad.
His work is deeply influenced by the cultural and historical heritage of Mesopotamia, often reflecting themes of war, displacement, and identity, shaped by his experiences as an Iraqi living in exile.
Al-Sindy’s paintings are characterized by a blend of abstraction and symbolism, often incorporating Arabic calligraphy, ancient Mesopotamian symbols, and references to Iraq's rich cultural history. His use of vibrant colors, textures, and layered compositions evokes a sense of depth and emotion.
Qais
Al-Sindy
Available Works
"Through my colors, I protest against the world’s brutality that causes people’s agony, tension, and suffering. In my arbitrary approach in art, I aim to bring one closer to the actual human experience.
We are human, and nothing is more interesting to us than humanity. In my art, I leave traces of what I’ve created.” — Qais Al-Sindy
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In my artistic practice, I engage with critical and ironic perspectives on social and cultural issues, aiming to communicate messages that unravel intricacies from our daily lives and memories.
Drawing inspiration from a lifetime of experiences, I deconstruct these elements to synthesize new shapes, thoughts, and ideas. As a visionary artist aspiring for a better life and healthier cities, my work is infused with personal dreams and a commitment to creating the optimal atmosphere for existence.
My artworks serve as a narrative anchor, weaving stories that become integral to the historical tapestry of communities and capturing the boundless nuances of life.
Embracing the role of an expressionist artist, I draw thematic inspiration from stories, tales, and poems, delving into the essential conditions of human experience — navigating the realities and rituals surrounding desire, fear, and hope.
The figures within my paintings embody waves of woe or repose in meditation, reflecting the diverse facets of the human experience.
Through my art, I articulate the collective yearning for stability and safety, offering visual narratives that resonate with humanity's shared aspirations.
Ultimately, the conceptual undertones in my canvases are born out of contemplations on the contentious issues confronting our planet, our beloved Mother Earth.
Biography
Qais Al-Sindy is an Iraqi-born artist currently living and working in California, USA. Born in Baghdad in 1967, Al-Sindy pursued a degree in engineering before shifting to art, obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Academy of Fine Arts in Baghdad.
His work is deeply influenced by the cultural and historical heritage of Mesopotamia, often reflecting themes of war, displacement, and identity, shaped by his experiences as an Iraqi living in exile.
Al-Sindy’s paintings are characterized by a blend of abstraction and symbolism, often incorporating Arabic calligraphy, ancient Mesopotamian symbols, and references to Iraq's rich cultural history. His use of vibrant colors, textures, and layered compositions evokes a sense of depth and emotion.
After leaving Iraq in the 1990s, he has exhibited globally, including in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East, and his work is featured in prestigious private and public collections. His art often explores themes of memory, homeland, and the impact of conflict on personal and collective identity.
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“In the quiet heart of my studio, where dreams take wing,
Brushstrokes murmur secrets only silence can bring,
In every hue of passion,
where art and soul sing,They dance together softly,
in the light of becoming.”
Q&A with Qais
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.
