His profession is simple, being human. Mayyar Aswad, who is 30 years-old always had a voice deep within his mind that continuously knocked on and on, saying “You won’t be an engineer.” It was true, just one month away from graduating and becoming an electrical engineer, Mayyar left his studies and turned his life upside down.
In 2007, back when Mayyar was studying in Syria before the war, an annual art competition was being held, he attended and to his surprise won a scholarship to study sculpting. But, during those days, ‘artist’ was a word used to bad mouth anyone who ventured into that field. “This thing was a blackhole in my life, I always wanted to study art, I knew that I have a lot in my head, but I didn’t get the chance,” says Mayyar.
Mayyar is in fact self-taught, and to him it was a long journey. His inspiration stems from his love of nature, his beliefs in his own heart, the trust he has towards his feelings, as well as his spirituality. So many of these references are included in his artworks, and Mayyar usually goes with the flow when a canvas is placed right in front of him. He says, “A lot of times I’ve prepared, saved so many pictures on my profile. Then, suddenly, out of the blue, it turned. I don’t know why. Even with my art, I’ve already prepared a color palette in my mind, once I start on the canvas everything changes. That’s why I stopped preparing for my next piece.”
His creative energy is not only poured out into the canvas, but also in his sketches. Mayyar surprisingly adores his sketches more than his paintings, he considers them as his precious art diary. Plus, when he teaches art in his workshops at Artspace, Mayyar emphasizes on how there are no rules in art; Art is freedom. “I teach people in my own way, from my experience. I don’t follow a syllabus or [structure], I just follow my passion, my heart,” he says.
The reason behind that is because Mayyar saw that art, out there in the world, is taught in a very tough way. People do not always seek that, or react positively to this method, and he is one of them. “I try to make a twist, how to make them feel it, love it, because it’s a way to express yourself.” He reiterates , “It’s like when you dream, you can’t control your dreams, you have your own la la land in your head, you can do whatever you want. It’s the same with art, it’s a way to run away, to escape, to build your own reality with art. So there are no rules to follow, art exists to break all the rules.”
Not only that, but Mayyar is not a fan of any certain movements in art. Those movements were created by others, and as he says “We have a right to create a new movement. Each [artist] has [their] own movement in art, so you cannot limit art in one movement.” He is truly, limitless. Mayyar’s art, the way he expresses his spirituality, and places his feelings be it on sketches or canvases, as well as the way he perceives the world is entirely different, but certainly and without a doubt, full of creativity.
“There is a quote in Arabic I read once ‘من رحم المعاناة يولد الابداع’ [From the womb of suffering, creativity is born]. What’s bad for your heart is good for your art, which is totally true, so it’s good. I like challenges a lot.” From the obstacles he already conquered, life is Mayyar’s game, and he is willing to take any challenge that may arrive on his doorstep, knocking and waiting for him to level up once again.
TRUTH OR DARE QUESTIONNAIRE
How would your mother describe you in one word?
Chaotic.
How would you describe your mother in one word?
Life.
What is the most ridiculous question you’ve ever been asked?
Do you know how to paint?
What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?
When I love someone, I call him or her stupid. Once, I introduced a student of mine as stupid to a friend! You can imagine her shock.
What is your theme song?
“You Don’t Own Me” by Grace.
What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented?
I want to reinvent or even delete the word love, because it is unfair to limit all our feelings and emotions into four letters in English or two letters in Arabic. The Arabic language is among the most complicated, so two letters can never contain love.
Where would you like to live?
Florence.
What is your dream retirement location?
Bali.
What is the first famous quote that comes to your mind?
“And we are closer to you than your jugular vein.”
(A quote from the Holy Quran.)
Which animal best describes your perfect partner, be it in business, or in life?
Monkeys or pugs.
Do you miss anything from your childhood and if so, what is it?
No. Childhood was just a phase. I am glad I went through all these phases, and I don’t miss any of them.
If you could change your name, to what would you change it?
I would never change my name. I have the most beautiful name. My name fits me. It means the giver or the host. There is a saying in Arabic that states that our names reflect us.
How would you describe your handshake, in one word?
I like to hug.
What is the toughest part of your character?
I am protective when it comes to my friends and those whom I love. Even at work, I like to protect everyone.
Who is your favorite historical figure?
Prophet Muhammad. He could not read or write, but he found God. He had everything and took nothing in return.
What in the world do you least desire?
Showing off.
What do you think is lacking in the world, which [if there were more of it] would make the world a better place?
Awakening. People need to see the world in a different perspective. Imagine all of us awakening even though we are different. Wow! It would be really good!
Why do you think most people who do, like you?
I am just me. I am not a copy of anyone else nor another version. I say the truth always. People like that.
Finish this sentence: “Happiness is…”
a choice.
Check out more of Mayyar’s artworks on his Instagram page @mayyaraswad. Images courtesy of Mayyar.
