“UNTITLED” by Ahmed Z

AHMED Z, “UNTITLED”, COLOUR ON CANVAS

SIZE 24 x 30 CM

Ahmed is from Al Raqaa, Syria. He escaped the war in Syria two years ago and has been living in Greece since then with his twenty year old son. His wife, younger daughter and younger son were not able to get out of Syria. Ahmed spent a little over one year on the island of Lesvos, but was moved to Athens when he began experiencing medical complications.

In Syria, Ahmed practiced both civil and criminal law. He developed an interest in painting while living in Syria and studied at the Art Institute in Al Raqaa for two years.In Syria, Ahmed created art as a hobby – to express himself.He often offered his artwork to friends and family as gifts, but never sold his pieces. Now, he is counting on his paintings to sustain him financilally as he awaits a decision on his asylum claim in Greece. Ahmed shared that it is difficult to depend on others for survival. “In Syria, I used to work and support all people around me.” Not being able to do so since he left his home country is very challenging for him.

When Ahmed paints he feels like he is able to express himself clearly and loudly. His paintings often convey the images of his country’s history and civilisation. He takes pride in sharing these images with the world. His ideas for his paintings come from his imagination and the events he has experienced in the world.

Ahmed’s favourie artists are Salvador Dali, Vincent Van Gogh, Leonardo Da Vinci, Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.