The inside story

Painting self-portraits and detailed scenes of the inside of his studio are among the first clues that the young visual artist and self-confessed introvert Antoine Deeb prefers to look inward rather than to the outside world for inspiration.

Less evident, but equally important to his practice, is Deeb’s passion for creating his own materials - something, he explained, he can also do without having to venture any distance at all.

“Working on site at the family’s spray-paint factory here in Sharjah means I’m lucky enough to be able to mix my own paint and glue,” he explained. “This is ideal, since it gives me much more flexibility and the opportunity to experiment with the materials I choose to use in my artwork.” 

Range from paintings to sketches, the works Deeb is referring to almost always share a common denominator, which is their connection to the artist’s daily routines, rituals and surroundings.

“I like to explore and seek out new things, but I never feel the need to look further than inside my studio,” he said. “I think this stems partly from my desire to make my art as natural and personal as possible.”

Homing in on his immediate environment, Deeb’s practice can involve painting or sketching the same subject, such as his bed, a coffee cup or his face, on a recurring basis, almost obsessively and for days at a time.

“I prefer these specific topics to general themes or external sources of inspiration,” he explained. “I don’t like crowds or social scenes anyhow, so I guess you could say this is where I feel most comfortable and able to relax, with no one around. I feel completely free, which makes it much easier for me to work.”

Deeb’s compositions on canvas are delicately created in muted colours, which gives them an air of fragility and melancholy. “Even as a child, I was always keen to find the beauty in the humdrum and every day, and this inner need remains key to my art today,” he has said. “In some ways, my art is super easy - I’m simply committed to ensuring it reflects my personal feelings.”

As part of his practice, Deeb is always curious as to whether a work evokes new or different sentiments when completed, especially when it comes to his self-portraits, which he estimates totalled around 300 at the last count.

“Sometimes the work looks different, even though the subject is the same,” he explained. “I can usually tell my mood or how I was feeling when painting or sketching. The colours might be more subdued than at other times, for example, or darker. There are also differences in the way that the colouring moves from within or outside of the lines. I see these signs as evidence that art speaks for itself.”

Renowned artists that adopted this approach in their practice are among those that Deeb counts as major influences, led by the Italian painter and printmaker Giorgio Morandi, famed for his calming, reflective still-life compositions, which often feature bottles, jugs and other everyday ceramic items.

“When you take the time to look really carefully at these works, it’s clear that there is something incredibly convincing and attractive about the process of painting the same objects time and again,” he said. “You can see that this approach enabled artists like Morandi and Alberto Giacometti to take their creativity to another level, which is why the ‘routine’ aspect of this way of working really resonates with me.”

Recently, Deeb has found himself experimenting with what he describes as the fine line between abstraction and figurative art in his work, probing and digging deeper into this aspect of his practice.

“I’ve been thinking not so much about painting what I see, but, instead, asking different questions around what identifies my work, like looking at how I’m putting the colours on the canvas, for example, or removing some of the lines on an object,” he explained. “Taken to the extreme, I’ve found myself wondering what, if anything, would identify my work if I threw out every object related to it - brushes, paint and canvas, for example. These are the questions I’m asking and, while I haven’t reached any conclusions yet, I’m confident I will. It’s what keeps me going.”

As is the case with many artists who have moved away from their birth country, identity is another key factor that finds its way into Deeb’s practice, especially the fond childhood memories he has of time spent in Syria.

“The freedom I remember feeling when playing football outdoors with neighbourhood friends is a particularly vivid memory and one that I know I revisit and channel into my art,” he said. “In fact, over the years, there have been times when I’ve felt the need to reengage with my roots, so travelling back to Banias, where I’m from, is something I try to do when I can.” 

Deeb’s time back in Syria includes study days spent at Latakia University, where he graduated in 2020 from the Faculty of Fine Arts. Since completing his studies, he has, in many ways, continued his education at the family factory.

“I’ve definitely become informed by the media I’m using as well,” he said. “I’m more curious and keener to experiment.”

That desire to experiment extends to the less traditional materials Deeb has come across in the factory, from roof insulation to wood-stain. “I think exploring and experimenting helps to keep me creative and I find that super-encouraging,” he said. 

Music is another influence that Deeb recognises as key to his practice, stemming from a passion for both performing and analysing aspects of the discipline.

“As someone who enjoys playing the guitar, I find it fascinating how song writers and singers use harmony structures within a piece of music,” he said. “I often think that this practice has parallels with the way that visual artists recycle elements to create something new and interesting. It’s definitely a process with similarities and one that I find myself trying to connect with in my work. It also gives everything a light touch somehow, helping to bring some creative energy and fun to the space. I like it when those moments happen.”

Antoine Deeb’s work is available to view on Artscoops