Central Saint Martins BA Fine Art student Badr Ali uses classical motifs in his oil paintings and composes them in unique custom canvases. He has already been in quite a few exhibitions, successful for a 2 year student, and even featured on The John Langan Band's album cover. What I like most about his pieces are the contrasting practicalities of the work. You have the tediousness of creating the custom canvases alongside the patience needed to paint with oil to light an explosion of textural elements. Tied in with the non-traditional rectangles canvases, Badr Ali's captivating pieces allows the viewer to escape the norms of the white cube.
You
explore artists materials and use them to their limits. You reject the
rectangle canvases and create new shapes to frame your pieces, achieving what
most create with digital software translating that into the physical, are you
creating a comment between digital and traditional tools?
Could
you explain the process of creating a customized canvas?
How
much thought goes into creating a final piece?
What
is the reaction you wish to gain from the viewer?
How
would you describe the difference between the art industry in Saudi Arabia and
in London?
The art industry in London is one of first
to be established, as it’s considered a capital for the scene. In a recent
discussion with the director of Whitechapel gallery Iwona Blazwick at Central
Saint Martins, she said that London is definitely “the place to be” when it
comes to art, but I can proudly say that the art industry in Saudi Arabia is
now thriving. Although it is still in it’s early stages, it is definitely
booming. And we’ve got to thank organizations such as Athr Gallery and Edge of
Arabia for this, because they give Saudi artists a valuable platform to express
through art. Recently there was the Jeddah Art Week event that displayed an
enormous amount of Middle Eastern talent that I am so envious to not have been
able to take part of, but from what I seen through social media I am very
impressed.
What
would you say is your most defining moment as a young artist?I would have to say it was the feedback and outcome
after my first independent exhibition. The response was beyond what I have ever
imagined I would get.
I’ve had multiple interviews, sold work, got published in a couple of magazines which in turn gave me new opportunities to exhibit my work. I got photographed by the awesome Chris Brock who has heard about my work, I even got recognition from a few big names back in Saudi, and so on – it was all so hard to digest. It was only then that I realized “oh wow… I’m actually an artist.” I still can’t get over it.
I’ve had multiple interviews, sold work, got published in a couple of magazines which in turn gave me new opportunities to exhibit my work. I got photographed by the awesome Chris Brock who has heard about my work, I even got recognition from a few big names back in Saudi, and so on – it was all so hard to digest. It was only then that I realized “oh wow… I’m actually an artist.” I still can’t get over it.
Do
you feel any pressure being a Saudi Arabian artist?
Not really. I’ve had a very diverse
upbringing. And I have been brought up to always consider the implications of
my actions based on my own logic and morals, which I think are a part of my
identity. I stand up for what I believe in and make sure that my execution in
expression is neutral and unbiased. While I acknowledge that the country I’m
representing follows a particular cultural rubric, I do believe there are
multiple ways of expressing anything you want, the only “pressure” per se, is
finding the “appropriate” method.
Who
are your favorite contemporary artists?
Although I’m primarily a sucker for classical
painters like Von Dyke, Cabanel and John Martin, I recently went to a Richard
Hamilton exhibition at Tate modern, I think he’s currently my new favorite.
Chuck Close and John Currin are up there as well :P
Badr Ali has kindly given me a sneak peak of his works in progress and cosy studio space!
