Letters brought to life or Immersion in meanings?
Stolnitz Jerome wonders if Art is a science, work,
belief, reform or... what?
When we dive into the world of the artist Thamer Dawood,
the questions open up like eyes focusing on the
respectable meanings embedded in his paintings,
calligraphies and designs. The major concern of the
Artist lies in his discovery of his being and presenting
it in colored shapes, musical in tone, rendered sound by
thorough understanding ofGeneral Art History and
confirmed by his fine feelings and elaborate
anticipation.
I had a chance to see the accomplishments of this artist
in Baghdad. They represented a wonderful collection of
oil, graphic and calligraphic paintings. After moving to
the U.S, this artist maintained contact with me through
Internet bridges. He sent me several pictures that
deserve attention and study.
I knew Thamer well, and I value in him his solemn
culture and his sensitive feelings for his being. His
care for his art is a source of pride for all of us. An
artist does not miss an opportunity to capture
innovative thoughts by practicing painting on daily
basis, without any disruption. The Sheller
statement:”The artist is present in front of you even if
he is biting his fingernails” fits well. Because if we
focus on this artist’s personality, we would find it
superimposed on his art that is being realized by his
fingers.
We are now exploring his world. We inspect his visual
writings hoping to see his paintings divulge his
secrets. That is where we discover his real intention
and aims as we should. Then we report it to the
observer.
An artist does not speak loudly of a case and does not
argue a specific thought in as much as it relates to
understanding the value of the Art and the essence of
beauty. How are we then to describe his new paintings?
The artist painted in color, and deep touch, sections
with relief scratches and lines. His painting is a
presence that reflects the Artist’s secrets not through
visual and signal units descending from the old history,
but from the Artist’s logical understanding of modernity
as getting along with current happenings in the world. A
painting reflects the true understanding of the Artist
of the various aspects of life. That is why we found him
work in the realm of isolation in its meaning that
accepts some expressive inclusions like keeping names
and stylish exposure of the painting direction through
calculated design, and without using the well known raw
ingredients in the art of painting. We also do not find
a trace of human body or visual pictures of beings,
because isolation by an Artist marries symbolism with
expressiveness. Sometimes, we see him put away certain
choices and other times he insures its presence
according to a predetermined intention.
Art to him is not playing or passing time or the luxury
of a means to make him feel superior. It is the
expressiveness emanating from his inner feelings and his
beliefs rooted in his secrets as a Moslem artist.
The mandatory reflections will lead to improving the
shape away from militant deviations or escape from
natural instincts or repressiveness that accumulates
like calcification layers.
Color and deep touch and the surface of the painting, as
well as the shining moments of excellence coming to him
from the depth of history forces him to reflect and
pray. This type of mystic work makes him conform with
what he loves. Personal boundaries will show themselves
whether the Artist likes it or not.
It seems to me that Thamer Dawood works in balance with
modernity. His artistic imagination takes him back to
his early years and arouses in him added values of the
ancient ancestors. Sectioning and symbolism reflect an
intimidating, sacred picture that implies a clear
conscience.
I believe that Thamer Dawood is determined to learn more
in a limitless way, especially in the area of mechanics
of work on thick materials, as it has unique properties
which require him to resort to imagination and symbolism
to show it up
Salah Abbas
Editor: Tashkil Magazine
Baghdad Iraq / 2009
