Yousef Al-Sharrad is a 23-year-old artist and art teacher whose paintings vividly bring his personal experiences to life. With a passion for depicting the various situations he has encountered, Yousef’s work offers a unique blend of storytelling and artistic expression, resonating deeply with both his students and audience. His journey as an artist began in his youth, and his dedication to his craft has only grown stronger over the years. Kuwait Times spoke to Al-Sharrad to learn more about his art.
Kuwait Times: What inspired you to pursue painting, and how has your artistic style evolved over the years?
Yousef Al-Sharrad: I’ve been painting for as long as I can remember, but I only took it seriously after I graduated from high school. That’s when I started experimenting and fell in love with the characters I created in January 2021.
KT: Are there any particular artists or movements that have influenced your work?
Al-Sharrad: I don’t have one in particular, but I very much appreciate the way Khalifa Al-Qattan lived his life, both as an artist and as a museum owner.
KT: How do you pass that knowledge on to your students? And which school of art do you follow?
Al-Sharrad: I like to let them be authentically themselves and come up with whatever concepts they want. I paint whatever I want, too, and I think that’s what I’m teaching.
KT: In much of your artwork, the eyes seem to have a strong presence. What significance do eyes hold for you, and why do you emphasize them in your work?
Al-Sharrad: This specific shape of the eye is something I’ve been drawing ever since I was a kid, and I wanted to keep it with me because I liked how it looked.
KT: We’ve observed that many of the figures in your artwork resemble you. Are these self-portraits, or is there a deeper meaning behind this resemblance?
Al-Sharrad: Most of them are, and some of them are people I’ve encountered in my life. The shapes of the characters are all me in some way.
KT: In one of your paintings, you depict Palestine and the watermelon symbol. Could you share why you chose to focus on this theme? What does the Palestinian cause mean to you personally and how does it influence your work as an artist?
Al-Sharrad: I think the Palestinian cause should matter to every human, not just artists. It was obvious to me to help the cause in any way I can, no matter how small.
KT: What is your favorite painting among those you’ve created, and what makes it special to you?
Al-Sharrad: The first one will always be important because of what came after it. I still haven’t shared it with anyone or posted it. However, my painting titled "Nostalgia” is my favorite.
"I think the Palestinian cause should matter to every human, not just artists. It was obvious to me to help the cause in any way I can, no matter how small.”