| Art Statement
Ever since I was young, I have been attracted to colors, papers, masterpieces of famous artists in museums and books. I found myself painting, playing musical instruments and having a strong passion for reading to learn more about art. After I had my Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, I come to realize that in order to complement the missing aspects in my character as a cultured artist, English language was an indispensable element to open all locked doors on other civilizations' arts and cultures. So I went back to school and earned a Bachelor's degree in English Language from the College of Languages at Baghdad University.
My thirty year journey as an artist, apart from my other profession as a translator at the same time , enabled me to develop my art to a unique style that reflects my technique, Iraqi identity and cultural heritage. Each painting summarizes the many art styles I have practiced over the years, molded in one exotic modern style that carries my message of art to the viewer. My new art style connects the old Iraqi naïve rural concepts and popular superstitious symbols, folkloric objects, with the contemporary Iraqi rural bright colors that permeate through different oriental elements and structures. Each work of art has a local concept or story projected in bright colors over a dark background. Apart from painting, I have a long experience in translationg and publishing long international art criticism. I illustrate children’s books and magazines, do fashion designs, accessories, and greeting cards. I also play on some musical instruments.
May Alsouz
US-Iraqi artist, Painter
MAY AL SOUZ, PAINTER, ILLUSTRATOR AND ARABIC TRANSLATOR
By: R. Jean Vallieres
M.O.P Since youth, May Al Souz has been attracted to color, paper, and the works of famous artists. From early childhood she found herself painting and passionately studying art books. After having taken her Bachelor's degree from the Academy of Fine Arts, Bagdad University, she soon discovered that knowledge of the English language was an indispensable tool needed to advance her understanding the art of multiple cultures and civilizations. This led her to return to Baghdad University where she earns her second bachelor’s degree, this time in the English Language.
Her thirty year journey as an artist has enabled May to develop a fully unique painting technique that reflects her Iraqi cultural heritage. Each of her paintings summarizes the many art styles she has practiced over the years, all leading to her singular, exotic modern style.
Her singular technique and choice of bold, bright primary colors reflects a scholarly comprehension of Iraqi rural culture, popular superstitious symbols, and folkloric objects. Each of her works incorporates local legend projected in bright colors over a dark background.
In addition to her painting career, May Al Souz has had a long, distinguished career as a published translator and Arabic art critic. She has also produced over 750 illustrations, six children’s books and several Iraqi children’s publications. In her early career she worked as an artist, illustrator and translator for the Iraqi Ministry of Culture, national publications, newspapers in Iraq as well as several other middle-eastern countries.
In 1977, May was awarded a solo exhibition in the prestigious Always Club in Baghdad. She has also participated in several prestigious Iraqi and middle-eastern and European group art exhibitions to include: Almustansiriya Exhibition in Almustansiriya University in Baghdad; The Orfali Gallery Exhibitions in Iraq; the Magic Pen Exhibition in Belgrade Czechoslovakia to highlight a few. Several of her works of art can be found in private collections, within the Iraq Ministry of Culture and Jordanian Ministry of Information. HONORS AND AWARDS /GRANTS 2002- May Al-Souz was Awarded by the Ministry of Culture –Iraq for translating the most press articles in 3 year period (1999-2001)
During her long career May Al Souz has Served as: Freelance Translator in Iraq published more than 150 articles in public and governmental sectors 1984-2006
Art critic translator, Arabic proof reader and editorial member of Al-Mamoun magazine, Ministry of Culture -1998-2006-Iraq Art critic translator In "GILGAMESH"magazine ,permanent translator, Ministry of Culture from 1998 to 2004- Iraq Translatior /English Department /Ministry of Culture-Iraq 1998-2000 Translator in Children's Culture House magazines / Ministry of Culture / Iraq -Baghdad1984-1998
Coordinated three British art exhibitions for the British Council in Iraq 1982-1983 Served as professional illustrator in the Ministry of Culture & Information, Children’s Culture House 1984-2003 Illustrator in Children's Culture House magazines 'MAJALLETI'" and "ALMIZMAR"/ Ministry of Culture / Iraq -Baghdad1984-1998 Ilustrated six children's books five of which published by The Ministry of Culture -Iraq and One in Kuwait
Arranged several Children’s painting Exhibitions & Children’s Book Illustrations /Children Culture house /Ministry of Culture 1986-1990
Worked as a fashion designer and & painter on fabrics in the Iraqi Fashion House / Ministry of Culture & Information/Iraq 1982-1983.
Worked as an illustrator and translator in “Wissam” children’s Jordanian Magazine -1993-1994, Ministry of Information-Jordan
Illustrator in “Alsinbad” Magazine for Children UNICEF & CHILDREN CULTURE HOUSE Cooperation 2002-03/Iraq
Published more than 150 translated articles in the Iraqi newspapers & magazines.
Designed a series of greeting cards for mass production (50,000 cards) in Iraq, 1983.
PRESS ARTICLES ABOUT HER
“Al- Ra’ie’” news paper Issue No.129-Oct./14/2001- Review-
"Al- Qabas” news paper – January 1978-Kuwait-Interview
Al-Jamhuriya” news paper – May-15- 1978 Iraq -Interview “Transport & Development” Magazine page 67-Feb.-1978-Iraq- Review "Al- Jamhuriya” newspaper June 2000 -Iraq- Review
"Alif Ba” magazine June -15-1994 issue no. 1342-Iraq Review
“Al-Thowra “ news paper – June-28-1984 Iraq- Review
“Arab Today”newspaper June -1984- Review
“Alif Ba” June -01-1984 Iraq- Review
“Majallti” magazine Dec. 24.1990-Iraq- Review “Directory of children books’ illustrators and writers in Iraq
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS Member of Empowered Women International Organization (EWI)-USA Member of Iraqi Fine Art Union Member of Iraqi Journalists Union
Member of the Arab Jurnalists confideration CONTACT HER AT :
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