artist statement

From the time I was a young kid, I remember the days my mom would wash bed sheets by hand and put them on a rope line in the backyard to dry. They were shimmering in the sun and the wind would make them dance. I would walk between them and always enjoyed the fresh smell and the look of the pure, white fabric.

A white piece of fabric that didn’t have any meaning was probably used for the first time as sign of peace. Most likely it was an undergarment tied to a stick waving from a foxhole or a window. These days that small piece of white fabric has been transformed to one of strongest weapons of communication in the world – a flag. By using colored fabrics or adding a graphic element, a flag becomes a symbol of joy, pride, or hate – you name it; the pure white fabric is completely changed. No longer a simple piece of fabric, it suddenly becomes a symbol people will die for, people will burn, or people will march with. People embrace flags that identify a nation. It is always present in times of war and also in times of peace. It is a very diverse piece of fabric and can be very divisive.

I think flags are the strongest symbol in the world. Everywhere there are companies with their own flag, sports team have a flag, countries have a flag, and today we see totally different, alternate versions of flags. It seems like every day there are new flags. It is a billion dollar industry.

I chose the American flag as a subject because it is what I grew up with. Watching black and white western movies at home, I really liked what it stood for. In my humble opinion, the American flag is the most beautiful design among all the nation flags in the world, and the most recognizable.  It is a special design that brings a different feeling to every individual regardless of their nationality. You cannot ignore it.

In my flag series I’m trying to bring awareness about the many changes that I have seen since I came to United States in 1978. People who were born in the U.S. long before me see this country is going through big changes. It is not up to me to judge whether these changes are  good or bad. I’m just bringing to the attention of people who are living in this country what is happening. 

My flags have a different meaning for different people. You may interpret it as you wish. I don’t have to explain it because each flag has a title, and the rest I leave to your interpretation. I am not a writer, but these artworks represent pages from the book of my life’s journey that started in Middle East and came all the way to United States. I don’t know where this journey is going to end up, but I am blessed with so many good friends and so many good people that I meet every day, and I’m very thankful for what I have.

We should all leave something behind for the next generation, and this is my contribution to this country that I love and that gave me a home where I can live in peace.

Remember, this is the only country in which we still have the freedom of speech. Let’s work hard to keep it that way.  – M