Sulaymaniyah’s Wisti Mahmoud blends sculpture, graphics, and critical thought in her evolving artistic journey.
Sculptor Wisti Mahmoud is 23 years old, born and raised in Sulaymaniyah. She completed her primary and secondary education in the city and is now in her final year at the University of Sulaymaniyah’s College of Fine Arts, studying graphics. She is currently working on her final university project. “Pre-modern art has influenced my understanding and learning,” she said.
She has participated in many exhibitions
“I am currently a student in the learning phase. I wish to participate in work and activities, but I have worked in volunteer organizations for a long time, and I have taken part in various activities at the university, such as the annual festival and all the exhibitions held there,” Wisti explained.
Artists have the ability to embody creation
“Drawing itself for me is not just existence in sculpture art, but something present in our daily lives. If we look at the world of art, the most important icon for an artist is drawing. But we must ask where drawing originates. Its existence comes from human life itself—sometimes from the psyche, imagination, or thought. Everyone has drawing within their existence, but not all can manifest it. Artists, however, have that ability.”
Still in the
learning stages
“I keep myself away from many outside activities because I am still in the learning stage and I have a long way to go. But that doesn’t mean I don’t participate in activities beyond the university. Sometimes I enjoy joining events, and fortunately, I have participated in all exhibitions within the university,” she said.
Abstract and
realistic works
On her artistic style, she noted: “I have some abstract works and some realistic works, but now I am mostly involved in graphics, specifically printmaking and dry point techniques. Printmaking involves engraving on board or foam, then printing the work on paper. Dry point means illuminating a piece of plexiglass and printing it. Of course, this process goes through several complex stages and takes time to complete.”
The feeling of painting
“Every artistic work is an expression of an artist’s feelings. But when the artist’s mind becomes complex, that’s when they want to paint a tableau more than at any other time.”
Views on
contemporary art
About contemporary art, she explained: “This art emerged after World War II, when unemployment rates rose in European countries. Artists wanted to bring everyday items into exhibitions to make society aware. I don’t think this reduced the artistic level—it made society more conscious of their circumstances.”
On contemporary artists, she added: “Deciding which artist works best in contemporary art is the job of art critics, not mine. But it is the artist’s private right to see themselves at what level and within which artistic school.”
Has modern art influenced her learning?
“Just as pre-modern art influenced my understanding and learning, so has post-modern or contemporary art. It has been important, perhaps even more so, because I feel contemporary art allows more freedom in using media, exploring concepts, and emphasizing reason.”
Her goal
“My goal, like many, is to be successful in my work. But I want to focus more on criticism and become an art critic, while also being a successful artist.”
The Kurdish Globe