Nomadic Pop is the foundation and influence; Digital Fusion is the sequence development that satisfies the outcome of the work. Both combined become one. Nomadic Pop is first produced through watercolor drawings that are then developed further in the second stage of Digital Fusion. I use picture-editing applications from my IPhone 5 to digitally manipulate images. I am interested in notions of ownership, the role of technology, consumer authority and what role the individual plays in voicing their own narratives. Nomadic Pop begins to look at “Nomadism”, which can be described as a search for an authentic Somali-ness. This when coupled with Pop Art can be used as a critique of the way we consume information. I am interested in the portrayal of the Somali body. Images of Somali models in the diaspora – sourced from the Internet – are spliced and collaged with artifacts and other images to generate new meanings. This highlights the myriad of manifestations that Somali-ness can occupy as it navigates realities like social status, tradition, modernity and cultural exchange. “Hidiyo Dhagan” > the heritage and culture within Somali Art, plays a fundamental part in identifying connection points. These are folklore, Somali proverbs, traditional music and personal stories passed down orally from one generation to the next. I’m highly inspired by Warhol’s work. Particularly significant to me is his use of vibrant colours for singular effect. My work has a similar notion of using Pop art as a medium to give presence and value to each character of the work, this is an attempt to demarcate space for both imagining and creating new mythology. The fusion element of the work brings the imaginary and the realistic together; it can look displaced and surreal sometimes. However, it creates a unique personality that has its own story to tell. Each piece has a poetic title and narrative reflection within the work, searching for a “common placement” where the multiple worlds are allowed to collide. This is what drives my work.
Project Gaza: This project is based on the people of Gaza/Palestine. The work is dedicated to show awareness and put light upon the current injustice that the world is facing today. To start, I made drawings, watercolor pieces, a poem and a spoken word video, all in dedication. Showing collective response, creatively voice for the people of Gaza. For me it was a personal need to contribute as and artist and poet, to show how I felt about the current state of Palestine and to share my thoughts with the world.
Untitled, (2014) pencil sketchUntitled, (2014) Watercolor & Spray paint‘SILENCE’ (2014) Watercolor & color pencil‘Forgotten Children of Gaza’ (2014) Watercolor & color pencil
‘The Weaker Hand, Has Lost’
The weaker hand, has lost. Lost what? Did it lose it’s way to justice? Because we know that politics makes power. And the media is using meditating-mind-tricks to control and conceal the truth. So in fact, the weaker hand is made to be weak. Weak of choice and to weak to speak. To weak to be free, freedom needs full strength! Breathe, breathe, breathe!
Go within yourself and you will be free! Be honest, open minded, like a truthful traveler searching for the deepest truths on from the highest mount to the deepest seas on to the edge of our searching minds! Do not stop! So please breathe some more. I know it’s hard to take in. But know that the truth is greatest gift to die for, the true saviour! the real father of trust. It is trust that has a conviction for living. Comfortable is a cup of ease. This is the reason why you live and socialise with your friends and family. The reason why you eat, sleep and trust your doctors. The real reason why u go to school to learn numbers and now you earn numbers. And save these numbers in the banks, it makes sense!
Every drop of sweat your earn, creates funds, the more you have the more you are favourited. More interests, to more love is shared. More tax the more they are plotting behind your back! Thank me later!
Here’s another one! We hear free speech, loud and clear! It is crystal clear in our ears, nowadays it’s practiced in hypocrisy. Hippos and Bimboos calling shots in the office, comedy posse! Blaming the weak when they speak. Now they spend their time playing war games on board games and taking selfish selfies, mugshot! We on that danger, so much anger, to separate a nation. To create a state that breaks more then it uplifts. Takes more than it gives. Greed is in their nature, save the poor! Feed a child! So much hate is high-fived and seen as gracious.
They are the real private terrorists and the public heroes we admire. The world has become undecided, bias and sided with the unrighteous. Flying rockets, bullets made to exterminate with love. More votes to fill their pockets, kill an innocent girl on her way home, is that not shocking?!
They say it’s her fault. “We are not to blame cuz she was one of the hundreds used as shields by the terrorists. (Hamas) We have a duty to defend” Defending? It’s an excuse used for decades. Where is freedom? Or I’m I just dumb, blinded to believe that justice has a place in this world. I don’t feel it and I don’t see it! Humanity has no colour, race nor religion.
It is you that is killing! it is you that thinks it’s above the law! It is you that thinks it’s chosen above all! It is you that occupies land and then say it’s yours! It is you that thinks it’s the victim. It is you that’s filled with Zionism. It is you that’s left unity and spirituality. It is you that has the hunger for greed and hate! It is you that denies the right of the oppressed. It is you that hides the truth! It is you that promotes lies to the people. It is you, a cancer, a decease so evil! It is you that is backed by the majority of the worlds leaders. It is you that commits war crimes against humanity and then uses media outlets to hide it from the people. Is it you that believes that every inch of criticism is anti- Semitic. And again this not against Judaism or any religion,this is against Zionism!
He who hates, evades the facts. Is it you that spies on the weak. Is it you that thinks you are above the Creator! It is you that is to late to see the truth! The weaker hand…. The weaker hand, has lost. Lost what? Did it lose it’s way to justice?
Because we know that politics makes power. And the power of the people was long forgotten, songs of lonely widows were memorised by their sons, daughters and neighbours. These cries have yet to be answered. Good intentions are choreographed by good actions. Within a fraction of a second, my eye shuts another day of injustice and internal pain.
Where would I be! If my mother never raised me to be me! No! Not even thank you will cover all the just rights of your mother but good deeds will run forever. And this counts for all the unfortunate, weak souls. Do not just sympathies and feel sorry but do your best, and be part of the change! Not the change that Obama wants to make! But a change we always wanted! It’s the plain truth!
The weak are not hopeless. For the one who ignores is most hopeless! And surely the best of us are weak of choice and we are just to weak to speak our minds! So don’t blame them for being weak but motivate them. Weak is not a low sign of status or weak of mind. But it’s rather strong in heart and mind, and weak within the space of unfortunate times. Be prepared to believe… Rise in mental rebellion. Rinse out these lousy flaws, Revised rights are revealed through cold rivers of rain! This reality is soon to be realised. The innocence of the weak, inhuman to the hands of the most powerful.
I weep even more, more when weak souls are sold out by lies, I am weak! Most of us are terrorised by the tender good news, tentacles that tend to copy and paste. Hassle with the good news to the corners of the world. Every eager soul has swallowed to much confusion, more illusion for the average Joe. Enough is enough! The earth no longer wants to hold, no longer wants be part of evil foundations. It has spoken of all good, centuries before you and me. The earth is fragile, weak as it dreams. By the mercy of God it still gives us all we can eat.
Degraded, separated but we stand tall. Strong to overcome all odds, weak yet we still prostrate in prayer even when death surrounds us! It’s wrong when bullies are praised! This is where parasites play as pharaohs in paradise! Parachute some hope to save yourself before you save others. Dedication starts within your engine.
Please don’t abuse the weak! And don’t take my goodness for weakness. Amputate my fingers, and leave me to symbolise the peace sign in silence, we are weak! They say the weaker hand, has lost. Lost what? Did it lose it’s way to justice? Because we know that politics makes power. Eventually the weak will become more weaker, death is found in the weakest spine of man. Our brave men and women are busy having breakfast inside their caves.
Why fear to speak out, has the night ever abandoned it’s gaze? Has the moon ever abandoned it’s stars? I say keep our people equal! Equal from the heart to the mind and to the soul, we love! To live together in peace but of you still hate me. Let us live without retaliation and hate. And let’s start to pray openly for a peaceful understanding of what it means to be human. Not weak nor powerful. Just human.
ahmedmagare 