Q and A with Ihab Ahmad (764 words 4 min.read )
1. We know you live in Dubai now, do you miss life in Lebanon, and how is being an artist in Dubai different than being an artist in Lebanon?
I’m deeply connected to Lebanon, every summer break is spent in Beirut in our family house there and i have a small workshop there. I’m still exhibiting in Lebanon through Mark Hachem Gallery and staying in close contact with people in the art scene. Moving to Dubai and exhibiting with galleries in Dubai didn’t really change my process as an artist. I draw everywhere and anytime, location doesn’t matter much to me. Dubai has a vibrant and growing art community with amazing galleries and curators, so it’s been very inspiring and has helped me connect with new audiences from different parts of the world. What I miss most about Beirut is the spontaneity. In Beirut, I had my art studio in Hamra, things were more unplanned and organic. I’d grab my coffee, run into artists and friends at Costa, pick up my materials, and head to my studio. Friends would often drop by. In Dubai, things are more structured and planned, but that has its own advantages. Ultimately, Beirut and Dubai reflect two sides of who I am. Beirut fuels the spontaneous, free-flowing side, while Dubai nurtures the focused, organized side. Together, they shape my creative journey.
2. You have had an experience in art that is different than just painting on canvas. How do you describe the satisfaction of having your art featured on buildings, cars, or luxury items?
It’s incredibly satisfying. Even before collaborating with big brands, I loved challenging myself to push my art into new dimensions and materials. I’ve always wanted to see my work take on 3D forms, so working on cars, buildings, and sculptures feels like a natural extension. It’s exciting to see how my art can move off the canvas and become part of the environment around it and how people engage with it.
3. Could you share with us how your art changed or how it was influenced after becoming a parent?
It affected my rhythm a little bit, my time is now shared with my kids, so I work less intensively than before. My art studio is right next to our house, so I can stay close to them. They’re still young, one is four years old, and the other is two, and I really enjoy the parenting experience, being involved with my wife in their everyday life. My perception of things has also shifted. I see the world through their eyes, and that’s brought new inspiration and layers to my work. I also try to involve them a bit in the art world, sharing new experiences with them. The change in energy and focus has been challenging, but it’s also been enriching. It’s given me a fresh perspective and added more emotional depth.
4. Who is the one person you listen to the most when it comes to advice about your art and why?
I listen to a lot of people, my gallerists, close friends in the art scene, art collectors, my wife. But in the end I’m sort of stubborn, especially when it comes to my art. I trust my instincts more than what would seem logical to others. I don’t use my brain much, I always follow where my feelings take me, I go with my feelings and the connections between colors and shapes and how they blend together. This is something I enjoy doing without a lot of thinking.
How do you describe your artistic experience in the Western world as opposed to your experience in the Middle East?
Honestly, I don’t see a big difference anymore between the west and the middle east. With globalization and social media, everyone has access to the same ideas and visual language. Also my art is universal, it doesn’t have a Middle Eastern touch or any specific regional identity, I feel that it speaks to anyone. The only difference I’ve noticed is how people in the Middle East connect more with the meaning behind the work. That’s a question I used to get a lot of, though it’s becoming less and less frequent. People are becoming more knowledgeable about art in general, a lot of art collectors, galleries and international exposure appreciate the beauty, the materials, and the personal connections they make with the piece. I participated in both Abu Dhabi art fair and Miami art fair and you can feel a lot of similarities.
