Artwork for an exhibit by arab artists that opened up yesterday in Montreal. For more details, view my journal. Here is the text that accompanies the piece at the exhibit.

Piece Study

From the base up. A symbol of the fusion of cultures wich is at the heart of the arab identity : A bedouin, nomadic nature, heading towards a city, symbol of the sedentary peoples. In the forefront, the departure point of the bedouin : The stones wich he praises as symbols of the material world that surounds us, of the eternal forces of nature.

Herein, used as a Leit Motiv, these stones appear in the composition of the solar system crowning the work : From the infinitely small to the infinitely big. The spirit of a culture which is focused on ascension and pushing farther the barriers of knowledge.

By looking beyond the horizon, illustrations of three facets reflect this focus in arab culture.

First, the material ascension of mankind, the development of sciences, more precisely the field of mathematics, producing the a marvel of navigation : The astrolab. A true representation of both the scientifical prowess and the exploring nature of the arabs.

Second, the mind's application to the conquering of the self. A portrait of Khalil Gibran, the quil, as symbol of the legacy of words and his speech, as light on the city: A symbol of our culture's spiritual wealth - both religious and philosophical.

Finally, a look at the arabs as a people, a warm people : Art, celebration, emotions and passions. Thus, the oud with the muse pourring in the voice of a people, its music, its song and its dance.

General composition

Vertical layout of the piece : Ascension of the mind and spirit on different planes, in parrallel to the horizontal temporal ascension of History.

References to both arabic caligraphy and architecture in the borders. Incorporation of the artist's style through a comic book composition and drawing style. Arab culture in modernity : Use of new medias.