Cairo-born and Barcelona-based, Hossam Dirar is an Egyptian multidisciplinary artist. He obtained a BA in Graphic Design from the Faculty of Applied Arts at Helwan University in Cairo and a MA in Sound Art from the University of Barcelona. Following the Egyptian Revolution in 2011, Dirar produced his first paintings and after that began traveling around Europe gathering inspiration from various galleries and museums. Seeing the works of Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele for the first time was great influence on his most recent artworks. 

 

As a result of his travels between Egypt and Europe, he became concerned with a wide selection of topics. The initial culture shock he experienced when first moving to Europe highlighted many cultural differences he was willing to explore. His cultural uncertainty pushed him to delve into the world of Ancient Egyptian history in search for a cultural identity he can relate to and can call his own. In that, he discovered his interest in women’s rights and the beauty in the contrast of cultures in terms of beliefs, liberty and open-mindedness. 

 

Dirar’s initial artwork drew a lot from nature and was heavily figurative. As he developed his style, he began creating impressionist and abstract expressionist artworks. Today, his paintings can be seen as a graceful combination of both, impressionism and abstract expressionism. 

​​

​

​

EDUCATION

​

2016 - 2018    

Màster Art Sound, Facultat de Belles Arts, Universitat Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain;

 

2016      

Course "filming 16mm" by Distrukur in Internationale Sommerakademie für Bildende Kunst Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria;

 

2015  ​

Course "Painting lab - painting inquiry" by Varda Caivano inInternationale Sommera kademie für BildendeKunst Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria; 

 

1995 - 2000  

BA Graphics , Faculty of Applied Arts, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt.  

​​

​

​

​

Artist Statement

​

Art is my way of expressing my concepts & perspectives in life. Life is full of images; through my art I try to capture the essence of those images on canvas. Abstract is my keyword. Nature is my inspiration. Mind, shapes, and imaginations are my basic elements. My digital art explores the magic of our heritage in a new contemporary vision & give ‘rebirth’ to old & traditional icons; with the genuine use of colors, calligraphy, icons, & patterns. Through my artwork I try to bring to life the beauty of old times, the depth of memorable images in a modern unique vision. Thus text & calligraphy are features that I use. The strong impact of words merged with the patterns make the piece of art a true illustration of my perspectives. All is one & one is all… Observing different elements & shapes in nature my minds start to work. My imagination starts to see manifestation beyond what we normally see; the invisible in the visible. I capture these manifestations, reduce them to their basic forms, blend them again creating something completely new full of life and movement. Creating an original piece of art that combines the essence of an idea & the emotion of my inner consciousness. The result is originality, something you have never seen before. Each one experiences these new illustrations depending on his imagination, beliefs, & perspective in life. And that’s the beauty of Abstract art. Being different is thinking different. In my artwork everything is possible. Any color is allowed. All shapes, forms & colors can be mixed together. In Art a fish doesn’t have to be in the sea. Everything I observe or experience in life inspires me; everyday small details, everything surrounding us, time, heritage, and memories. I hope to make people see things that their eyes usually don’t see; showing them images of what they feel. I wish to deliver my perceptions to the world; and Art is my way. Hoping that people start to feel the essence of things, only then they will see their own images in life.