MUSIC – Valgeir Sigurđsson, Liam Byrne & Daniel Pioro

ART EXHIBITION – Musafer Qassim

I explore the experiences that have deeply fascinated me. When I was in Iraq, I painted about war. I came to Germany at the end of 2015, and on my journey here, I witnessed and absorbed many things connected to people and movement – flight, demonstrations, migration, travel, swimming, sports, and even the movements of animals. All of these are also linked to the meaning of my first name: Musafer – “the traveler”.

Most of my themes originate in my Yazidi culture and my memories of it, but they are also shaped by the present moment and contemporary politics. I engage with Abstract Expressionism, where spontaneity and freedom are essential. At the same time, I often begin with a theme drawn from my mind or my sketchbook. I find a subject, and from there, my brushstrokes move freely and intuitively across the canvas. The tension between painterly complexity and the simplicity of the brushstroke defines my work.

I aim to abstract forms and surfaces. I am constantly searching for ways to resolve a painting – exploring new possibilities and working until the interplay of color and form reaches the right balance and complexity, conveys an emotional resonance that aligns with my inner state, and reflects my personal sense of mood.