An Introduction to Abstract Art: Ilham Badreddine Mahfouz's Interpretation

What you see, may not be what I see in a piece of art, especially an abstract art. These pieces of art is usually left for interpretation of the viewer. "Interpretation of art differs from person to person," artist Ilham Badreddine Mahfouz said. "Each person sees a different level of internal subconscious. You can tell if it is to mean tension or easiness." Depending on your background or culture, colors, textures and designs may influence your way of thinking.

"People should look at abstract art so they can appreciate different levels of art," Mahfouz said. Appreciating art allows a person to "think outside the box because you realize there are different ways of viewing abstract art," she said.

According to Mahfouz, "Abstract art is a form of art that deals with colors, textures, lines, geometric shapes and organic shapes. Colors and texture interpret emotions." Abstract art can be viewed in any direction. Mahfouz encourages viewers to look at an art piece in all kinds of directions, focusing on questions such as "What do I like or dislike about this painting?" and why. "Search for answers within yourself," Mahfouz said.

Abstract art was used by Muslims, long ago. One can see forms of abstract art during the 9th Century in Samara, now Iraq, and the 13th Century in Spain. During those centuries, abstract art could be found in homes, architecture and other materials. "The Muslim world flourished with use of calligraphy and use of geometric shapes," Mahfouz said.

"When Matisse and other artists traveled to Morocco and other parts of the Middle East, they were influenced by the Islamic art," she said. Matisse and other artists started to create more abstract art that dealt with shapes and colors. This has led to many other artists such as Kandinsky, Hans Hoffman, Picasso, Paul Klee, Jackson Pollock and Henry More using abstract art.

Today, abstract art is still found in and on many buildings across the Middle East. Mahfouz said that Iran is known to have elaborate architecture decorated in geometric tiles; and on wood panels interiors of homes found in Damascus, Syria.

Abstract artists use a variety of tools to produce their work. Types of tools needed to create abstract are are ink, water colors, oil, acrylic and other types of paints, cement, marble, stones, and many other materials.

"I draw out my ideas that I plan to express. If I am going to draw a face, I will draw it with abstractions, leaving clues in it to stir a thought," Mahfouz said.
Then her ideas are formed with colors and shapes. "I work on my painting or whatever I use, till it is achieving my purpose of what I am saying," she said. It is important to have the artist's emotions balanced with colors, textures, and lines.

A technique used in abstract art is contour drawing, which is a type of drawing contouring the image. Mahfouz explains, "Let us say you are drawing a human body. You draw the lines of the human body without details."

Art pieces produced Mahfouz are created with a message. She is motivated by a cause such as peace, charities, shelters for humanity, and emotions. "My artistic emotions are a reaction towards one of those causes," Mahfouz said. She also listens to classical music while she is creating art because it "energizes" her mood while she paints.

Mahfouz is quick to give credit to some of her college professors for their encouragement in creating abstract art. She was influenced by professors Robert Piepenburg, Suzan Stephenson and Barry Avedan. She feels fortunate to have study under them. "I owe these wonderful professors the credit. They always encouraged me. They guided my art."

For people who want to study abstract or other types of art, Mahfouz says there are many ways to do that. Some examples she gave were: read about lives of the artists, take art classes, visit museums and reflect art pieces that are viewed, and practice painting and other types of art. "Keep working, and try to exhibit your work. Always be optimistic because hard work does pay off," Mahfouz said.

For more information about Mahfouz and her art, here are two websites: www.artistilhambadreddinemahfouz.com and www.ilhamart.com.