Welcome back to our International Artist Series.
Today, we're catching up with four amazing artists from Jordan, a Middle Eastern country that is home to ancient monuments and an incredible history. I asked each artist how their country and culture influenced their work, and they delivered great responses.
Moh'd M. Khatib
Our first artist is Moh'd M. Khatib, an illustrator and designer based in Amman, Jordan. A creative with a variety of talents, he creates everything from traditional pieces to exceptional digital work. Here are just a few of his beautiful traditional paintings.
See more in his portfolio and follow him on Instagram.
Tomorrow
Jordan is a very peaceful country, versatile and tolerant. Jordan shelters many different cultures and lifestyles. It's my country and I love it. But what I love most about Jordan is that my family lives here. Life can get very overwhelming without your loved ones around you.
A Clear Mind
Jordanians are very strong, capable and smart people; we are raised with a "can do" mentality. Life here in Jordan pushes you to develop your skills and grow as a person. This idea is imprinted in our culture. We set our minds to achieve something and we do it!
Hello
Remorse of a Grandfather
The art community here is a reflection of the country, you will find so many talents hidden and celebrated. Some live under a rock, some are painting, and some are using it to break boundaries. Everyone puts their heart and soul into their art here.
Dema Mosleh
Next is Dema Mosleh, an amazing sketch artist from Amman, Jordan. Her stunning portraiture pieces are full of expression and wonder, and she creates compelling images with pencils or watercolors.
See more in her portfolio.
Pencil Portrait Sketches
Jordan is a great city to be living in and I haven’t fully realized how much I love the life here until I lived somewhere else! You can find modernistic towers and buildings and the ancient classic ones within the same city block.
Pencil Portrait Sketches
That mix of old and new gives the city a unique soul and a remarkable style. People here are very friendly and generous and it’s very safe too.
As a young artist, I’m still developing my own style and I take lots of inspiration for my work from my surroundings, like the colors of our unique stone buildings, the people I'm interacting with, and their ideas and problems.
Pencil Portrait Sketches
Watercolor Portrait
I’m still learning and analyzing my surroundings and my feelings every day and translating it to art. It’s just the way it always has been. I believe no art can be isolated and not affected.
The art community in Amman is small and kind of young but quickly growing. Art schools and galleries are everywhere now and people are becoming more aware of the importance of art.
Aya Mobaydeen
Designer and illustrator Aya Mobaydeen creates dazzling digital illustrations inspired by nature and animals. A native of Amman, Jordan, she makes phenomenal, colorful pieces to celebrate life and family.
See more in her portfolio and follow her on Instagram.
Animals Artwork
I was born and raised in Amman, the capital of Jordan. The most interesting thing about Amman would be how diverse it is.
There is always a connection between the past and the present, the old and the new. The younger generations always seek to challenge the old perceptions because, generally speaking, it’s a conservative culture.
Into The Woods
The culture and area has influenced my work in many ways. To start with, Amman is very chaotic and sometimes the traffic is unbearable—but to me, I think it’s part of our culture and it makes it authentic and different.
I like that because it makes me feel alive. There is always beauty in the chaos. I think my work is very much inspired by that. It’s very chaotic and full of details. It represents my country in a way. You can get lost in its chaos and beauty.
Social Media
Scrawl Illustration
The art scene in Jordan is growing and emerging. You can always find art and graffiti in the older parts of Amman. People are appreciating and understanding art more.
Jordan is a developing country and I think it’s great to take part in developing the art scene and creating a better foundation for the upcoming generations. Amman has an interesting collection of art galleries and creative spaces and they are bringing more awareness to the art and design scene.
Hashem Hina Afjouqa
The final creative in this feature is Hashem Hina Afjouqa, a 2D artist and art director living in Amman, Jordan. His humorous cartoon style is energetic and unique, and he creates fun illustrations of some of your favorite characters and superheroes.
See more in his portfolio and follow him on Instagram.
Captain Jack Sparrow
I love Jordan. I was raised here, so I love how it sounds and how it looks. Yeah, most of it is deserted, but it contains so much color that it's somehow magical.
Rexboy
Since I came here from a different culture and region, I can see the people from my own perspective, which can really improve your imagination over the years.
Sadly in Jordan, we can't see the pain that the immigrants have seen, but I can assure you that we can feel it. It is already imagined by people in their artwork.
Cyborg
Eyes of Justice
The art community in Jordan is still young; people are born with multiple talents but the education system and society can really burn your dreams.
The good part is that there are a lot of art galleries, expos, and things that we can relate to as artists. And luckily, they're just a shortcut away from where we live!
Many thanks to the artists who took the time to answer my questions and share a bit about themselves and how their country and/or culture has affected their work. You can check out more of their work in the links below:
Love these features? Check out more from this series:
