Aboud Salman's latest series of mixed media paintings, titled River Mermaid, celebrates the beauty, strength and mystique of women. The Syrian artist's colourful canvases exude joy and optimism. They are filled with intricate patterns that include bright flowers, traditional henna designs and various arabesque motifs. But the central figure in every painting is a woman.
"A woman is like poetry — the more you read her, the more interesting she becomes and eventually you cannot help falling in love with her. Since the beginning of mankind, women have been a muse for artists because they are so amazing and so intriguing. There is a sense of mystery around them and that is what I have tried to capture in my paintings.
"I chose the title ‘River Mermaid' because to me a woman resembles an elusive mermaid. She is mysterious, free and unreachable in the depths of the river. No one can capture her. The moment you think you have caught her, she slips out of your hand," he says.
The artist has tried to decipher every mood and facet of a woman. His paintings depict groups of women in different situations — going about their daily household chores, playing musical instruments, chatting with friends or just looking out dreamily at the world. Their bodies are concealed under layers of clothing and the bright patterns on the garments blend with the decorative background. All you can see is their beautifully decorated hands and feet and their expressive eyes. And those eyes convey happiness.
"No matter what they go through, women are always positive. The flowers and bright colours in my paintings reflect the optimism and enthusiasm of women. And the intricate patterns all around them reflect the mystery that surrounds them," he says. "And I have shown them in groups because women like to be together and there is a synergy that exists between them, which one can feel. To me a group of women represents the strength and power that women possess."
Salman's layered paintings reflect the many layers of a woman's personality. Woven into the repetitive patterns surrounding them are various symbols and myriad stories.
You can see beautiful Arabian cityscapes, depictions of folk tales and various things that represent a woman and the world around her. These include a sewing machine, perhaps pointing to a woman's role in the fabric of society. The paintings are replete with symbols such as boats, goats, flying and stationary birds and fish.
"The fish represent the many secrets that lie beneath the sea and the freedom that one experiences within the fathoms of the sea," the artist says. Another recurring motif is a woman's eyes, perhaps alluding to the artist's desire to understand a woman's perspective.
Some of the paintings are stark black-and-white and in others the women are painted in black against a colourful background. But most of them are bright and colourful. "I live in my own little world filled with beauty, love, compassion and colours. And that is what I try to recreate in my paintings," he says.
While a few of the paintings are acrylic on canvas, most of them have been done with marker pens on fabric. The soft, flowing unframed sheets complement the river mermaid theme.
"I cannot survive without painting. Sometimes it is difficult to find canvases. But I can find fabric anywhere and I always carry a marker with me. So whenever I feel inspired, I just start painting on a piece of fabric," the artist says.
Jyoti Kalsi is an art enthusiast based in Dubai.
River Mermaid is organised by Vindemia art gallery and will run at Aspen Café, Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates, until September 6.
