About
Moataz was born in Baghdad in 1986. He moved to Belgium in 2009 and is based in Antwerp. He studied painting at the royal academy of fine arts in Antwerp .
Liberating the canvas from the constraints of its supporting role, the artist pushes parameters of what determines a painting. Moving away from ‘the traditional rectangular painting’, Alqaissy’s work introduces a shift in visual hierarchy, liberating the canvas from its frame and turning an historically inferior element, into the dominant, primary part of the work.
Alqaissy’s works are characterised by layers of canvas (linen, cotton but also sailcloth), glued on top of each other, or nailed ‘casually’ on the wall. His works incorporate assorted house-hold materials (walls or wood paints and other wall treating, fillers, wires, tie-wraps…) or sometimes even recycled patches of older work. In addition, the artist experiments with mounting canvas on various surfaces (without losing its dominant presence) such as PU-foam. While elevating the role of these ‘supporting materials’, he forms and sculpts his paintings in a way that they convey a rather raw or violent feeling.
Moataz Alqaissy finds inspiration in many domains, from the history of art, to ancient civilizations , antiquities, and childhood/early adulthood memories in Baghdad, which it has been shaped by severe violent political changes. Being born and raised in Iraq, and currently living in Belgium, Alqaissy is balancing between two cultures. Since he left his homeland, the artist continuously investigates the relationship between ‘place’ and ‘oneself’, how space influences the body or how it can be incorporated in his work. This can sometimes be taken literally when patterns of the wall and floor of his studio find their way on to the canvas by means of using crayon or a paint roller – forming a dialogue between the space where the work is created, and the ‘skin like’ organic look of the canvas. Although Alqaissy’s approach seems rather formal; each work has its own meaning and story. It determines the shape, colour palette and idea behind each piece. However, the artist refuses to manifest himself as explicitly activist and considers his paintings as a mere extension of himself and his background. By detaching the canvas from its classical function, his paintings manifest as new forms, subtly expressing human emotions, while creating new spatial experience.
“My paintings are in constant dialogue with the history of painting from the past til the present. Liberating the painting from the wooden frame gives the canvas a bigger role in the visual hierarchy of the painting. The works are inspired by the memory of my upbringing from the past years in my homeland Iraq, which includes very political and historical references that shaped my life. I try to create a connection between the viewer and the subject matter, through my work by putting them in a direct confrontation with the elements of the painting undisguised. Exposed and clear, organic and changeable sometimes perishable like any living being”.
Text by :Lien Crap
Geukens&De Vil
Master Visual Arts
2020-2021
Specialisation Fine Arts. Painting, Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp
Bachelor Visual Arts
2017-2020
Specialisation Fine Arts. Painting, Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp
Visual Art
2008
Painting.
College of art | Baghdad University
Prizes and grants
Marianne van Vyve prize
2021
Royal academy of fine arts Antwerp
Art residencies
Tenjinyama Art residency Sapporo , Japan
15/10-30/11 2022
Gallery
Geukens & De Vil
contemporary art gallery
Leopoldplaats 12
Solo exhibitions
“Just a little pinprick”
03/09-01/10/2022
Solo exhibition at Gallery Geukens en De Vil Leopoldplaats 12 Antwerp
To Be Antwerp
26/11/2021
Solo exhibition at Gallery Geukens en De Vil Leopoldplaats 12
Antwerp
Group exhibition
Square-shaped Heart.
8/11-24/11
Duo exhibition with Inge Trienekens
at CAI03 gallery, Sapporo , Japan
Larey G’s Living Room
15/9-15/10
Group show invited by Coppejans Gallery Antwerp
A Wild Thing
21/4/2022
a trio show featuring Alessio Capone Max Beets
And Moataz Alqaissy
Sur Un Parquet Bien Ciré
24/2/2021
Group exhibition at Martin van Blerk gallery, Mechelsesteenweg 18 Antwerp
FAAR
29/10/2021
Group expo./open studio in Hertstraat Deurne, Antwerp
Terrain Vague
04/09/2021
Group expo. At Plein magazijn Antwerp
Encore
01/07/2021
Master expo. Huidevettersstraat 39, 2000 Antwerp Group exhibition curated by Spank Moons
Master Expo 2021
24-27/06/2021
Lange Zaal, Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp
PICTU>RE>IMAGE
05/2021
Group exhibition curated by Spank Moons
Wintertuin Royal academy of Fine Arts Antwerp.
IN OUR FACE
October to November/2020
Artists initiative.
Bar Leon, a series of exhibitions around the city of Antwerp.
Tangier group exhibition
03/2020
Participation in a book group edition number 2 at Tick Tack Gallery Antwerpen
10×1
12/2019
Group exhibition at the Royal academy of fine arts Antwerp