Hama Hashim presents his work at the fifth International Art Forum “At the Peak” in Krefeld, highlighting Kurdish creativity in an international setting.
Kurdish author and visual artist Hama Hashim participated with two paintings in the fifth International Art Forum, held under the theme “At the Peak” (In der Spitze) in Krefeld, Germany.
Reflecting on the event, Hashim said international artistic gatherings provide artists with valuable opportunities to move beyond geographical and cultural boundaries and engage with new ideas and creative approaches.
“For me as a Kurdish artist, participating in this forum was an important opportunity to exchange experiences with artists from different countries while introducing aspects of Kurdish art and culture to an international audience,” Hashim said.
He noted that, in addition to working on original artworks, the eight-day forum included seminars and discussions addressing contemporary issues in the global art world. One of the main topics was the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on art and human creativity.
Hashim said his two paintings, each measuring 1.5 by 1.5 meters, were created using the Abstract Expressionist technique.
He explained that the large scale of the works provides a broad space for experimentation and allows colors and gestural lines to develop freely.
“When monumental scale meets Abstract Expressionism, the creative process becomes a direct physical and psychological experience,” he said. “It is not only the fingers and wrist that are engaged; the arms, shoulders, and the artist’s entire body become part of the process.”
Hashim also described the experience of viewing large-format paintings in exhibition halls, saying their scale creates a powerful interaction between the artwork and the viewer.
According to Hashim, the viewer’s eyes are drawn across different layers, lines, shadows, and bursts of color rather than remaining focused on a single point, creating an immersive experience within the expressionist work.
The fifth International Art Forum “At the Peak” was held in Krefeld, Germany, bringing together artists for eight days of collaborative artistic work, seminars, and discussions. Hashim’s participation provided an opportunity to present Kurdish artistic expression within an international cultural setting.
