Host Mikey Muhanna interviews emerging artists, Khaled Makshoush, Youssef El Idrissi and Aya Abu Ghazaleh, who share their experiences and artistic practices, covering their backgrounds, inspirations, and the challenges of being a young artist. Recorded live from Riyadh at Diriyah Art Futures, the episode delves into cultural exchanges, technological influences on modern art, and the evolving definitions of digital art in contemporary practice. Key themes include the emotional and cultural impacts of art, the role of social media and AI, and insights into individual journeys and broader artistic trends in the MENA region.
00:00 Introduction
01:31 Meet the Artists
03:48 Why Apply to the Program?
04:54 Daily Life in the Program
06:07 Exploring New Mediums and Styles
09:16 The Concept of Emerging Artists
15:16 Influences and Inspirations
19:27 The Role of Social Media for Artists
22:54 Cultural Exchange and Learning
26:35 Frustrations and Misunderstandings
27:50 Working with a Team
28:31 Tools and Skills for Emerging Artists
30:26 Facing Rejection and Maintaining Confidence
32:39 Defining Art in the Digital Age
36:01 AI's Impact on the Art World
39:39 Exploring Art Futures
40:52 Questions Artists Wish to Avoid
43:02 Current Projects and Research
49:04 Where to Find Them Online
A visual artist and art therapist, Aya Abu Ghazaleh’s work encompasses interactive installations and mixed media, exploring nature, memory, archives, sustainability, and digital tools, to harness art as a tool for resistance and healing. She has participated in residencies, exhibited internationally, and worked on numerous art programmes and workshops.
Connect with Aya Abu Ghazaleh 👉 https://instagram.com/ayaabughazaleh
Khaled Makshoush is a Saudi digital artist from Riyadh specializing in pixel art. He blends reality and imagination to create atmospheric digital paintings that explore the emotional essence of spaces. Through colors, shapes, and patterns, he crafts detailed scenes that invite viewers to experience his vision.
Connect with Khaled Makshoush 👉 https://instagram.com/kldpxl
Youssef El Idrissi is a multidisciplinary artist, cultural engineer, and researcher. His artistic practice utilises generative art as a mode of expression to decolonise imaginaries, explore indigenous mythologies, and engage in healing processes through occult means. He holds a BA in Philosophy and an MA in Cultural & Artistic Engineering.
Connect with Youssef El Idrissi 👉
https://instagram.com/youssefeidrissi_
Hosted by:
Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb
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