The inspiration for the earliest works in this series stemmed from the 2003 invasion of Iraq by the US. In this body of work I combine my love of geometric design; in this case, patterns from Islamic art and architecture along with poems from Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass translated into Iraqi. My intention is, in an understated way, to question our lack of understanding and respect for Arab and Islamic cultures while at the same time, protesting the war. Whitman—for me the quintessential American poet—was a celebrated unifier and embracer of cultures and customs.
After completing this initial series I continued in the same vein, now calling the series the Islamic Works. The work has evolved to include ideograms, Arab proverbs and phrases as well as Whitman’s verses, plus an expansion outside of the purely geometric motif. Through combining beauty and meaning, I hope to introduce a view of a culture as not simply political headlines, but as the expressive voices of individuals with their own hopes, dreams and desires.
Nota Bene: Although not always apparent, all of the works in the Islamic series include Arabic script. The English translation of this embedded script is the basis for the title of each work except in cases where I’ve directly used the translation of a Walt Whitman poem into Iraqi, in which cases I’ve used the original English title of the poem. A native Arabic speaker reviews my work for any possible errors of translation.
We Love Our Children (2012)
48 x 18 – Mixed Media on Panel
Untitled XI (2011)
59 x 48 – Mixed media on panel
Patterns I (2011)
18 x 12 – Mixed Media on Panel
Patterns II (2011)
18 x 12 – Mixed Media on Panel
Praise Be to God (2010)
59 x 40 – Mixed Media on Panel
Step Out of Line I (2009)
45 x 58 – Acrylic on Canvas
Step Out of Line II (2009)
48 x 33 – Acrylic on Panel, Mounted Canvas
Step Out of Line III (2009)
59 x 34 – Acrylic on Panel, Mounted Canvas
Miracles II (2009)
46 x 24 – Acrylic on Panel, Mounted Canvas
To You (2009)
47 x 28 – Acrylic on Panel, Mounted Canvas
A Rose by Any Other Name (2009)
Mixed Media on Diesel Brand Tennis Shoes
We Breathe the Air That Is in Front of Our Face (2008)
59 x 40 – Mixed Media on Panel
Thanks II (2008)
12 x 12 – Mixed Media on Panel
To Question (2008)
48 x 40 – Acrylic on Panel
Joy (2008)
59 x 40 – Mixed Media on Panel
It’s Not Always Black and White (2008)
59 x 40 – Mixed Media on Panel
Form vs Content (2008)
59 x 40 – Mixed Media on Panel
Liz Says Peace Baby (2008)
59 x 40 – Mixed Media on Panel
Bound by Friendship (2007)
16 x 16 – Mixed Media on Panel
He Who Cooks a Bad Thing, Eats of It (2007)
26 x 12 – Mixed Media on Panel
Birds of a Feather (2007)
24 x 12 – Mixed Media on Panel
Determination (2007)
48 x 48 – Mixed Media on Panel
Anticipation (2007)
28 x 24 – Mixed Media on Panel
For You O Democracy (2006)
46.5 x 11.5 – Mixed Media on Plywood
The Walls Have Ears (2006)
48 x 12 – Mixed Media on Plywood
Untitled (2006)
48 x 12 – Mixed Media on Plywood
Shut Not Your Doors (2006)
48 x 36 – Mixed Media on Panel
Flames (2006)
36 x 24 (2 18 x 24 pieces) – Mixed Media on Clayboard
Poets to Come (2006)
48 x 48 (2 Pieces) – Mixed Media on Panel
Me Imperturbe (2006)
48 x 48 (2 Pieces) – Mixed Media on Panel
To a Common Prostitute (2006)
48 x 24 (2 Pieces) – Mixed Media on Panel
I Heard It Was Charged Against Me (2006)
47 x 32 – Mixed Media on Plywood
Miracles (2006)
63 x 47 – Mixed Media on Plywood
Walt Whitman III (2006)
40 x 72 – Mixed Media on Panel
For You O Democracy (2005)
48 x 48 (2 Pieces) – Mixed Media on Panel
Walt Whitman I (2005)
48 x 12 – Mixed Media on Panel
Tableau Alphabetique (2005)
49 x 58 (28 8 x 8 Pieces) – Mixed Media on Clayboard