ShareAli Alamdar never studied fine arts — he studied marketing. But art found him anyway. What began as a childhood obsession with drawing planes evolved into a powerful form of storytelling, sparked by a chance purchase of an art kit in Houston.
Known for his haunting portraits without mouths, Alamdar’s work reflects his struggle with verbal expression. Instead, his art speaks through piercing eyes that capture raw emotion. Influenced by contemporary artists like Ryan Hewett and Andrew Salgado, as well as the storytelling genius of Walt Disney, his work is deeply personal yet universally relatable.
Now, with Tales of the Souk — his first solo exhibition in Kuwait, opening at Den Gallery on February 17, 2025 — Alamdar is reconnecting with his roots. His art isn’t just seen; it’s felt. And with this show, he promises an experience that will linger long after visitors leave.
Kuwait Times: When did you first start painting, and what initially inspired you to pick up a brush? Was there a specific moment or influence that pushed you into art?
Ali Alamdar: I’ve always enjoyed drawing — mostly planes, because I was obsessed with aviation as a kid. In 2016, I met my role model, CT Fletcher, at a fitness expo in Houston, which inspired me to try drawing him. On a whim, I bought an art kit, not expecting much, but it ended up changing my life. I also started drawing because, as a kid, I always wanted someone to draw my portrait, and no one ever did — so it became a kind of revenge mission.
KT: Your portraits often lack mouths but emphasize the eyes in an almost haunting way. What draws you to this choice? Do you think eyes are the most expressive part of a person?
Alamdar: My portraits don’t have mouths — a choice I made in 2018 and have followed ever since, though I’m now more flexible with it. What started as a random decision turned out to be deeply personal. Looking back, I realized I avoid painting mouths because I don’t talk about my feelings. It’s as if I don’t have a mouth myself — I deal with things alone, without seeking help.
The defining feature of my work is the eyes. I make them haunting on purpose — you can’t just glance at them and move on. Eyes are my storytelling tool; they never lie. Unlike a mouth, which can be manipulated to hide emotions, the eyes reveal everything. Through them, I tell my entire story.
KT: Your work often carries a dreamlike, almost psychological intensity. Would you say your paintings are more about personal expression or a reflection of collective emotions?
Alamdar: The magic of my work isn’t in the technique — it’s in the way I think. Anyone can paint like I do, but my thought process is impossible to replicate. My art thrives on dreamlike, psychological intensity — that’s where good stories come from. I don’t retell stories; I create them.
I take personal experiences, strip away the specifics and extract the raw emotion, reshaping it into something universal. That’s why my art resonates with people. I don’t paint to please others — I paint humans, I understand humans. I make my work relatable without falling into cliches, which I despise. I transform emotions into visuals for the world to experience.
KT: You’ve mentioned Walt Disney’s influence on your art. What aspects of Disney inspire you the most?
Alamdar: Walt Disney is my ultimate role model — the greatest storyteller to ever exist. He was a visionary, seemingly ahead of his time, as if he had lived in the future and brought back his knowledge. What I admire most is his deep understanding of human nature and what resonates with people on a subconscious level.
To learn storytelling, you must study Walt. He never believed in the word impossible, which I relate to — I do everything I say I will because I know I can. Every great achievement starts with imagination, just like my work. I could talk about Disney for days — his films, theme parks, music, and the man himself.
KT: Can you share details about your upcoming exhibition? What themes will it explore?
Alamdar: On February 17, 2025, I’ll be holding my second solo exhibition, and my first in Kuwait, at Den Gallery — the best gallery in Kuwait, located in Crystal Tower. The show, Tales of the Souk, is my attempt to reconnect with my culture after living in Houston for over 12 years.
I don’t want to reveal too much — you’ll need to experience it for yourselves — but I promise it will be extraordinary. It’s an exploration of something all Kuwaitis share a deep connection with, presented in the classic Ali Alamdar style. Trust me, you won’t want to miss it.
