On Ayad Alkadhi’s canvas, opposites hold court: Past and present, East and West, tradition and rebellion. Born in Baghdad in 1971 and now based in New York, Alkadhi has spent a lifetime navigating cultures, identities, and histories – both personal and collective. This duality is imprinted in his work, where Arabic calligraphy, layered textures, and bold compositions serve as both deeply personal expressions and reflections of the socio-political landscapes that have shaped him.

Ayad’s pieces, exhibited in renowned institutions like Honolulu Museum of Art, Station Museum of Contemporary Art in Houston, Texas, Nevada Museum of Art, to name a few, do more than tell stories, they demand engagement. Whether exploring themes of exile, power, or resilience, his art is a testament to the emotional weight of displacement and the enduring influence of heritage.

A self-proclaimed overthinker, Ayad possesses an innate ability to unravel layers and nuances that others might miss. His mind is a storm of thoughts in which he admits overindulging, always dissecting, revisiting and reimagining. While he admires the quiet strength of stoicism, he finds himself drawn to social extroversion, a quality he wishes to acquire. This tension between introspection and outward expression mirrors the themes of his work, where personal narratives intertwine with broader political realities.

In this conversation, we explore the inspirations behind his practice, the role of calligraphy in his visual language, and the fine line he navigates between personal expression and political commentary. Through it all, Alkadhi remains, at heart, a storyteller—one who seeks to leave behind a body of work that captures, with raw honesty, the emotions and thoughts that shape his world.