Arab artists: Bassem experiments with Pop Art

Bassem al-Sharqi is known for producing Pop Art in the tradition made prominent by the late American visual artist, Andy Warhol.

He aims to revive old-fashioned icons relevant to both his native Saudi culture and the rest of the region. For example, in his work, images of the traditional teapot, dalla, are updated into modern versions for the current generation.

Saudi artist Bassem al-Sharqi

“My technique is somehow odd and different and nobody else has so far dared to experiment with it, and that’s why I stand out,” Sharqi says.

Born in Mecca in 1976, Sharqi’s career started materializing after he joined the Fine Art House in Jeddah in 2001. There, he met other artists and honed his skills.

“Mona Lisa represented my early experiments with Pop Art,” Sharqi tells Al Arabiya.

In 2003, he went on to join the Fine Arts Institute of Sharjah, UAE, and moved its membership to the Emirates Association for Arts.

Sharqi then débuted his solo exhibitions back in Jeddah, where he lives, at the Fine Arts Atelier in 2005. Two years later, he hosted his second solo exhibition entitled, The Static and Neglected Movement.

He uses a spectrum of elements to create his Pop Art pieces, from numbers and letters, to old photographs, to materials such as acrylic, water color and collages.

“I always use acrylic and silk screen techniques, and it does not mean replication, but rather assertion,” Sharqi says.

“My paintings are intended to reach out to people. Once displayed, I am a beholder just like other people and cannot distance myself from them.”

To read more and view Bassem al-Sharqi's art please follow the link:
http://enawafeth.alarabiya.net/content/his-paintings-are-created-beholders’-perspective