We had the good fortune of connecting with Ahmed Alrefaie and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ahmed, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Launching my own career as an illustrator was not actually planned. I have been an artist for many years but mostly created as I enjoy it. Over the years I have been approached for freelancing and I never enjoyed those as they were too commercial and allowed no creative freedom.

In our region, illustration in general with graphic design was not really something people recognized but over the years I started combining the two which sprouted a new opportunity for me as people can see in a familiar language how illustration can supplement their brands. From there I collaborated with many businesses in developing illustrations, packaging and campaigns.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My artist career has seen many shifts in subjects but in the past 5 years I was focused on imagining traditions and cultures of the middle east portrayed in a different light. Normally our region is portrayed differently in art and I wanted to combine the new and old together where simplistic forms of art brighten what is considered part of the old generation or perhaps irreverent to today’s generation.

It was not easy getting to where I am today, but I don’t think I would have learned any other way. I made many mistakes along the way, I learned a lot, I also allowed myself to explore different mediums and free myself from any bubble that would have trapped me in not exploring. These allowed me as an artist to overcome many challenges.

My fascination with the past grew stronger through what I created as when I started I felt clueless and did not care much about the past. But I was intrigued to at least try in my own way in representing our culture and from there I could not stop as I was enjoying what I do and I learned in each project.

I started collaborating with brands as they saw potential and understanding of the region, I was able to bring that to their brands and this sparked many opportunities to follow. This is where something can look fresh and new and inclusive of the past.

New is definitely cool but can be more so when we understand where we came from and it really helps art by adding depth. I myself felt distant from culture till I read it in my terms and explored it through art, I have since then become very knowledgable in that space and it has provided me with an endless supply of inspiration. I don’t aim to recreate, a lot of my work is flavored, I tell my own stories and mix themes together.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Kuwait is relatively small but if a non-resident comes I’d definitely take them to spots that in my opinion defines Kuwait. Starting with the obvious, “Mubarikiya Souq” is the oldest market in Kuwait and it keeps a lot of the old architecture and busy shops. I would also recommend “sadu house”, it’s a small museum of an old form of embroidery made in the past.

Apart from obvious sightseeing spots and a ride in the desert. Kuwait is known for its unique food scene. A lot of concepts developed are local and international. Anything from ribs, burgers, to traditional food.

Furthermore, I like to give an impression so I’d definitely take guest to a “dewaniya” it a common place in most houses where friends gather around. It can be less formal and in some cases people play cards and video games. But it mostly a place where people talk and catch up.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Definitely my mom, she was the very first supporter as I developed an interest in art when I was 10. Close friends helped a lot too during the college years and some of my professors where one of my early customers who bought my art. What makes it more special is that I studied English Literature and to see interest in illustration is amazing.

Website: www.owaikeo.com

Instagram: @owaikeo

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmed-alrefaie-56482784

Twitter: @owaikeo

Image Credits
none, all mine.

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