Alaa Sobih:'Messages' represents conflict

Egyptian artist Alaa Sobeih says his paintings expressed an emotional state linked to human experiences, where he was able to present “internal conflicts which man faces alone in the universe”. In an interview with ‘Arabstoday’, on the sidelines of his exhibition dubbed ‘Messages’, Sobeih said: “My messages stem from turbulent events that I personally experience, in addition to the difficult conditions we are all experiencing in the current period.” “I tried to escape the framework of the traditional flat paintings by resorting to multidimensional paintings using different materials, in which the feel of the painting engages with the colours in dynamic conflict. I used my own pastes with fabrics,” Sobeih told ‘Arabstoday’. Sobeih added that fabrics are strongly associated with man, as it “covers human beings in life and death, it is the only material thing that goes with us wherever we go.” “Although my works include a lot of experimenting and artistic adventures, it is still strongly linked to my Islamic and ancient Egyptian heritage, which I deeply cherish,” he indicated. Sobeih stressed that he did not belong to a certain school of art, however, he expresses whatever he feels at any given moment. Thus, abstract art sometimes dominates his paintings, while other times symbolism, cubism, or expressionism prominently show through. He added that sometimes his art had hints of all of the above. Sobeih is busy preparing for the first forum of Arab painters, which is scheduled for March 25. The forum organised by Sobeih, in cooperation with art critic Wahid Al-Belqasi, is to be attended by a number of Arab artists. Sobeih stated that he organised the forum to “promote the local and Arab culture and raising it to the level of global art, as well as enhance the convergence and unity of Arabs culturally and socially.” The Egyptian artist concluded the interview by expressing his hope that governmental foundations and authorities would support artists in their country.