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ART & DESIGN AWARDS
I AM explores my relationship with my different cultural heritages and their impact on my identity.
My artworks are appropriations of three posters: Off the Wall by Zeina Maasri, Of course I can; I’m patriotic as can be - and ration points won’t worry me! by Dick Williams, and Afrocentric (Power and Equality) by Shepard Fairey.
Each poster represents aspects of my Lebanese, Armenian and Australian heritage.
Being Lebanese inspires me to stand up for my culture and my roots. My Armenian heritage affords me an appreciation of Armenian culture—captured in my grandmother’s image in poster two. My Australian self is grateful for all the opportunities I have received here, but is also conflicted by the separation from my other ethnicities.
Influenced by the techniques of graphic design, I chose to digitally represent my concept to create posters that are inspired by advertisements which use signs and symbols to appeal to an audience.
The fourth artwork intertwines the three posters to form one, representing my complex identity and how I represent myself, through my hobbies, memories, and significant moments in my life.
The symbol of fabric is a postmodern technique representing the interwoven elements of my cultural identity. My artwork I AM explores these interwoven ethnicities and their impact on my identity.
The text I AM is inspired by Gordon Bennet’s work and is featured on all posters, using text and lettering of both Arabic and Armenian language. This use of symbolism is important in all the works exploring important values in my culture. It also represents my character traits and the milestones in my life.
Reflecting the imagery is a symbolic reflection of my family and cultural influences, and is inspired by Khaled Sabsabi’s kaleidoscope works.
Tapestries and rugs are often hung on walls in the Middle East. I have chosen to hang my fourth canvas artwork in reference to this tradition.