Philosophical Themes in the Discourse of Contemporary Art

USPA NEWS - Photographer: Joe Kastner

Theme 1: {Proving Cultural Identity through Contemporary Art Discourse}

The artistic achievements of painter Amer Al-Obaidi, who has had a creative career spanning over four decades, have resulted in the creation of grand murals and paintings that draw the attention of thinkers, researchers, and art enthusiasts from around the world. His works, showcasing a cubist geometric style inclined toward abstraction and a highly expressive approach, combine realistic representation with the vivid manifestations of his boundless imagination. Al-Obaidi’s mythological narrative draws inspiration from ancient civilizations before Christ, using a modern artistic language that pushes the limits of his expressive capabilities, documenting the rich history of his ancestors through a visual message that narrates the ancient people's lives to future generations.

His works often depict heroic figures inspired by the ancient Mesopotamian heritage, embodying historical eras such as the Babylonian, Assyrian, Akkadian, and Sumerian civilizations. Through these narratives, he revisits social customs and human values, presenting a modern interpretation of these ancient legacies. Al-Obaidi's paintings tell stories of cultural and intellectual evolution, reflecting the timeless struggle for cultural identity, and human aspirations toward justice, peace, and societal values.

Al-Obaidi’s works, often framed within a symbolic or philosophical discourse, delve into the phenomenological experience of reality. Influenced by the theory of phenomenology, he examines how subjective experiences shape individuals’ understanding of the world. This exploration highlights the ways human consciousness perceives and reacts to external phenomena, emphasizing the importance of individual experience in understanding the essence of things. His paintings, with their powerful depictions of symbolic events, encapsulate the awareness of humanity's historical journey, reflecting the fusion of myth and modernity.

Al-Obaidi’s methodological approach in creating his paintings incorporates elements from cubism, abstraction, Islamic motifs, and cultural heritage, allowing him to document the historical, biological, and psychological phenomena of Arab cultures. His visual works capture the dichotomy of life and death, light and darkness, in works that engage with universal human experiences, while also inviting viewers to explore the depths of their own inner worlds.

His artistic contributions, especially in works such as “New Person” and “Iraqi Revolutionaries,” delve into political and philosophical themes, exploring human existence and societal struggles. Through symbolic representations of immigration, identity, and exile, Al-Obaidi weaves narratives that reflect the anguish and struggles of displaced peoples, especially during the turbulent history of Iraq. His exploration of "unconscious behavior" in his series “Chairs” is an analytical reflection of human psychology, influenced by the subconscious forces shaping individual and collective identities. The artist's works offer a poignant commentary on the human condition and provide a meaningful connection between cultural identities and universal experiences.

Theme 2: {The Philosophy of Myths in Dynamic Narratives}

Myths are fundamental to all cultures, influencing human decisions and behaviors across all levels of society. Despite their inherent fantastical elements, myths are highly effective in describing the human condition, as they delve into the depths of human psychology and emotions. Myths represent the earliest forms of philosophical thought, born from contemplation of the universe and its relation to human life on Earth.

The artist Amer Al-Obaidi contributes to the interpretation of these myths through his dynamic and expressive paintings, using a contemporary artistic language to preserve and revitalize Iraqi and Arab cultural heritage. By engaging with mythological narratives, Al-Obaidi reimagines ancient stories through cubist abstraction, creating large murals and paintings that celebrate the heroism of ancient warriors, the mystique of horses, and the valor of historical battles. These dynamic stories of myth and legend are portrayed in a vibrant, dramatic way, symbolizing the eternal struggle for identity, honor, and human solidarity.

In his large-scale murals and intimate portraits, Al-Obaidi uses the mythological symbolism of warriors, horses, and sacred animals to portray the rich emotional and intellectual history of his heritage. These symbols encapsulate the timeless essence of the mythological hero's journey while engaging in an ongoing dialogue with the present. The artist’s work demonstrates how myth can transcend its ancient origins to become a dynamic force in contemporary art, creating a bridge between the past and the future.