My practice, which focuses on abstract paintings, has evolved from geometric to non-representational over the past five years. Discovering meaning in my work as a visual artist means relentlessly focusing and dedicating myself to exploring the possibilities presented by abstract painting. One tangible outcome of this unwavering commitment is the emergence of a distinctive style that combines academic inquiry with bold but playful experimentation. These aesthetics drive me to want to expand the limits of what is achievable with the fundamental materials of my craft.

Even before committing to a specific style, I embrace color in its entire spectrum and continually seek opportunities to adapt colors at opposite ends in non-traditional ways to create a texturally rich image. Regardless of how absorbed I am in my artistic pursuit, deep down in my consciousness, I am constantly reminded of the observer, and aware that the finished work is as much about them as it is about me. This engagement with the viewer complements a process that begins with an ordinary inspiration being transferred onto a linen surface and culminates in a finished painting with the power to evoke feelings. It is an additional source of motivation that keeps my well of creativity alive and encourages me to strive for a higher purpose.

From the outset, I have been preoccupied with the science of color perception, the neuroscience of how human eyes process sensory inputs, and the psychology that dictates how humans react emotionally to a painting. Such is the depth of the intellectual discourse shaping the endless conversations I have with myself and, occasionally, others. I have an innate and burning curiosity for the study of visual art. This, combined with a scientific approach to my practice, is an inexhaustible asset that I can easily channel into creating works that will captivate and intrigue those who encounter them for years.

The mystery of colors is one I can never get over, especially as I embrace my practice in its current form. Once quite fond of limited palettes, I relish the challenge of working with multiple colors on a linen surface. Achieving the desired result is the hardest yet most enjoyable part. Often, it takes countless hours and a dozen or more sessions of deep contemplation. The optical imagery linked to each finished work is never constant but constantly changing, influenced by the surroundings—lighting, space, and other vaguely defined ambient parameters. As the sensory impulses emanating from each painting varied under different conditions, so did the emotive influences registered among individual viewers.

A complete immersion in art accelerated my growth as an artist. It educated me about history and how art practices have evolved from the age of cave dwellers to today. It also reminded me that creativity is intrinsic to our species, inspiring me to explore my potential. Drawing on my years of experience as a physician focused on inventing medical devices and surgical tools, I didn’t need formal instruction in creativity. Instead, after leaving the confines of clinical medicine, where the emphasis was on adhering to established guidelines and traditions, I realized I could accomplish more through my imagination. In doing so, I have connected with a broader audience and healed many more individuals than in my previous role. This principle continues to inspire my art practice even today.

My early geometric and abstract paintings were essential to my journey, collectively serving as a compass when I needed direction. Although I do not actively pursue this genre anymore, I regularly choose specific paintings from that period and occasionally use them as understudies to gain clarity in my more contemporary works. They are particularly effective in helping me navigate the hurdles associated with engaging with the surface of a canvas when there are no clear-cut boundaries. They were the foundation upon which I honed my skills and began perfecting a talent that had gone unrecognized for decades. With so much to master, I followed an uncertain path to pursue a trajectory I believed was leading somewhere. It required hard work, day and night, especially during an unpredictable period, one that was filled with uncertainties. The hard work of previous years laid the foundation for the rapid growth and unexpected transformation in style that is now witnessed. I am grateful that I persevered and did not back out any sooner.

Being self-taught, I recognized the need to work diligently at my craft. In addition, I knew not to compromise on authenticity. This means learning to yield to an inner voice and surrender to the dominant influence of an inventive spirit. Without the constraints of traditional teachings or core principles, I had the luxury of freely charting my course, attaining set and unset milestones, and surprising myself. The reward for such an intrepid take on creativity is evident in the richness of my oeuvre to date and the scale at which I have evolved.

Another consequence of being a self-taught artist is missing the chance to be part of a cohort. As a result, I don’t belong to an artist group or movement. In many ways, this turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Free from any group influence, I had to become independent early on. Shaped by circumstance, this limitation led me to develop a unique language over time. Rather than be subject to the whims of a group or conform to a dominant trend, I relied on my instincts, aiming for the long haul and striving for a practice that would endure over time.

While not as apparent in two-dimensional photographs, my current series of abstract paintings actively explores the interplay between color and structure and attempts to tell a story where color alone would not suffice. I accomplished this by employing techniques adapted from my previous career as a surgeon. As a result, I can infuse each painting with a distinct personality, surpassing what I could achieve with my earlier geometric works.

Adversity is frequently viewed as a catalyst for great art, with crisis as a crucial growth stimulus. While this is not true for every artist, I resonate with the idea. In my experience, adversity gave meaning to what would otherwise be a soulless painting. Every one of the abstract paintings in this series is preceded by an intense period of introspection, which in turn dictates elements of what appears on the canvas. This introspection is not confined to the beginning but continues until the painting is completed. The process includes numerous pauses—some brief, others prolonged. The various starts and stops provide opportunities for a deep examination of the subjects I find most important at the time. Thus, the canvas becomes a platform for expressing my inner feelings. By using an innovative approach to painting, I can express myself gracefully, maintain a distinctive vernacular, and keep innovating around a foundation defined by my unique style.

My current artistic pursuit focuses on material innovation, transforming surfaces and pigments into subjects of experimentation and expanding their potential beyond their original use in standard compositions. These innovations provide endless opportunities to create abstract paintings rich with texture, color, and multi-dimensional capabilities. Sharing intricate details and technicalities will likely interest few readers and, therefore, intentionally left out of this essay. At this stage, my paintings take longer to create than before and require even more preparation to bring to fruition. This is not because of scale or complexity but because of composition and the process involved. They have also become less conventional in their making and finished form.

When selecting titles for these paintings, I recognized that they are as abstract as abstract art can be. Therefore, I took the liberty of choosing names that reflect my prevailing thoughts and preoccupations. These titles align with my interests—literary and otherwise—and sometimes carry historical significance. They draw from literature, mythology, philosophy, music, dance, theatre, film, poetry, photography, and other art disciplines. In this way, they serve dual purposes: as visuals and as foundations for deeper conversations. One unexpected outcome, however, is that these paintings have become more accessible to observers in terms of what they mean to them. Beyond serving as timestamps that capture specific moments from my artistic journey, they symbolize a commitment to seeking answers and unraveling the intricate puzzles of the game of life. To learn more about the recent paintings referenced in this essay, visit the page titled, ‘Raw Emotions’ or click the link.