Bamatraf: I try to show the beauty of nature and geography [Archives:2006/940/Culture]

By: Mariam Saleh
Born in 1984 in Aden, plastic artist Yaslam Mohammed Bamatraf is a student at Jamil Ghanem Fine Arts Institute, as well as an architectural engineering student at Aden University's Faculty of Engineering.

He participated many times in the cultural caravans of Sana'a as the 2004 Arab Culture Capital and he won first prize for fine arts (plastic arts) during 2004 University Student Week.

Recently, Bamatraf participated in group exhibits, as well as solo shows at Aden Hotel. He has multiple skills including plastic arts, photography, Arabic calligraphy, engineering, programming and computers.

“When I'm drawing, I feel as if I'm dreaming,” he says, believing that no artistic production should be restricted.

The painting speaks for itself and the brush shows the artist, while colors realize festive diversity embodied by the brushstrokes, revealing a well-studied technique. Some say that the still painting, set within its frame, has its own pulse that animates it into meaningful movements that enchant the eyes and involve them in the mischievous adventure of contemplation. The viewer then will see the once-scattered elements somehow organized abstractly or realistically.



In this interview, Bamatraf speaks about his experience:



Depictions from reality

When did you first indulge in painting?



(recalling) Nobody can claim that plastic art comes from out of the blue on its own. Therefore, my beginning was in my childhood, namely when I was seven. It was a hobby. I was obsessed with whatever I saw. I mimicked and depicted. Following secondary school, I joined the Aden-based Jamil Ghanem Fine Arts Institute to study plastic arts. Moreover, my family and my teachers encouraged me to stick to art and excel in many occasions, beginning in school and on to other national events.



I draw for myself

For whom do you draw? Have you succeeded in presenting works that meet the public's expectations?

I draw for myself and for those around me. What I draw does not as much reflect the public's opinion as it does mine. However, the public does appreciate my works.



Exploring beauty of nature and geography

Viewing some of your paintings, I have seen that you revive history, heritage and Yemeni customs. Why?

Actually, I would like to do paintings that showcase simple Yemeni life, the life of the common man, in addition to scenes from reality. For me as an artist, this means celebrating the beautiful image and customs and presenting them to the onlooker who knows nothing about the area, as well as foreign tourists in love with the desert and its terrain. In brief, I try to show the beauty of nature and geography Yemen enjoys and its tourist and architectural advantages.



Criticism and artist

Can we describe your works as postcards to the public?

Perhaps, but I only draw. The public and critics can judge whether my works could serve as postcards. In general, the artist draws and leaves a trace on life, while the critic should finalize what the artist has initiated. The process is complementary. Plastic art cannot develop apart from the influence of criticism.



No difference

Do you like warm or cool colors? Why?

I like all colors, whether warm or cool, and this is apparent in my paintings. Sometimes I use cool colors and other times warm and I mingle them in certain paintings. After all, in my viewpoint, plastic art is a space for creativity and the painting is a visual hymn that should please the viewer.



Power of perception

It is perceived that artistic awareness is not prevalent among the educated community. What does this mean?

This is some sort of illiteracy. Many people cannot “read” visual art and interpret its elements.



Influence

What are the factors that shaped you as an artist and which school of art do you prefer?

Influence over the artist is conditioned by the society in which he lives. If the community is full of concerns, problems and daily discomforts, the artist will be influenced accordingly and is expected to provide for that in his artistic works. I admire international artist Vincent Van Gogh.



Painting rituals

Do you have any special arrangements before you begin painting?

Not exactly. As I'm drawing, I like to be internally peaceful and have a genuine desire to draw a specific idea. I'm not the kind of artist who gives vent to his own sufferings in his work. I would rather write them down until I get quiet and then start drawing.



Plastic arts in Yemen

As a beginner, how do you evaluate the art movement in Yemen? What difficulties does an artist encounter?

The art movement in Yemen still is growing and faces many difficulties, most significant of all is low artistic awareness and inadequate attention paid to plastic artists. I hope concerned authorities will pay more attention to this type of art, which is culturally important.



Last wish

What wishes do you have for the future?

I hope I always will present the new and sublime in terms of art and I hope to formulate my own style to stand out in the field and represent my country at international events. I hope that Yemeni art will improve and that the media will further introduce and be critical of art to help purify it of its blemishes and raise public awareness about its issues.
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