OMAR HASSAN My art is a reflection of my identity, a mix of experiences and influences that have taught me to see beauty in diversity

Milan, city of possibilities, of dreams, of art that becomes the essence of life, in the fusion of two cultures, the Egyptian of his father, a Muslim, and the Italian of his mother, a Catholic. This was the ‘cradle’ of Omar Hassan, a young and highly-regarded artist graduated from the Accademia delle Belle Arti di Brera, who reveals to the world his story and the profound meaning behind his art, born from the embrace of these two distinct but complementary worlds.

The key inspiration behind his work, ‘the artist son of tolerance’, reflects his unique experience, shaped by a family that was able to teach him the value of dialogue and mutual respect. Hassan, thanks to his personal history, has learnt to inspiration from the encounter of differences, turning them into valuable creative resources. Through his works he presents a powerful message of tolerance and inclusion, creating a bridge between worlds that are often perceived as distant. At a time in history when differences cultural differences, skin colour and traditions are often the subject of social and political conflict, Omar Hassan’s art conveys an important concept: living together in mutual respect is possible, indeed a source of growth. Possible, indeed, it is a source of growth, change and enrichment. ‘My art is a reflection of my identity, a mix of experiences and influences that have taught me to see beauty in diversity,’ Hassan explained, ’and to develop a worldview enriched by the ability to continuously learn from what is new and unknown.’

Hassan’s works arise from the need to trace the constant time, which flows over us but is not tangible, through all his pictorial gestures (Time Lines series) and from the desire to paint the concept of light and return it as a fusion of the essence of the individual human being, whose breath is expressed through spray paint (Lights series). Even the caps of the cans for Hassan become an element of research, to make maps of the cities that have hosted him and will institutionally host him (Maps & Caps series). The art of Hassan’s art is also contained in the pictorial gesture of his fist, a performance that expresses a key concept of his creations: ‘I’m not punching to destroy, I’m creating’. Thus his punches become the antithesis of destruction, because nothing breaks or deteriorates, but everything is created and coloured (series Breaking Through/Breaking Through Black). This series, one of the artist’s most famous, is composed of 121 works on canvas, created by painting with boxing gloves. The numbering of the canvases refers to the rounds contested in the ring by a very young Omar, launched in parallel into the world of professional sport, which he had to leave due to diabetes, and who was the driving force behind of further artistic production.

Not only painting, sculpture too is for Omar a further element of positive exchange that blending with his colours becomes a true representation of the harmony of the peoples, as for example in his ‘PAX’, the pregnant winged goddess, currently on display in the ‘Chapel of the Canticle of the Creatures’ at Sacro Monte Di Orta. One of his most impressive works of the Lights series is on display inside the Milan Malpensa International Airport Terminal 1. For Omar Hassan, art is not just a means of expression, but a tool to bring people together, to build bridges where people, to build bridges where we often see divisions. His personal story and his production reminds us of the power of empathy and mutual respect in an increasingly interconnected world. increasingly interconnected world.

What are the biggest challenges you have met in your career?

I have faced so many challenges in life that it would take an entire day to list them all, but each one has created something within me, and that something has become art. I believe that if each of us could transform pain and difficulties into something positive, the world would be populated by happier and more fulfilled people who know how to honor the gift of a full life.

 How was your passion for art born?

 Art has always been part of my DNA. Ever since I was a child, I would paint on anything, including the walls of my house. Art and the passion for it gradually became a realization that there was nothing else I could do but pursue it. I had no choice—or rather, I did, but fortunately, I had the courage to follow what I felt was an urgent need and let it flow: the need to create.

What is your main source of inspiration?

 The be a citizen of the world. Inspiration comes from life itself, from daily experiences, and not from mere existence. Unfortunately, I see many people in this society walking passively towards a fate they haven’t chosen, believing they cannot make a difference or change their path. Certainly, it can be difficult at times; it requires tenacity and a great deal of humility, the ability to go back to the crossroads where the wrong turn was taken, or the willingness to face a steep climb just to reach a place where the view can be admired.

What does art mean to you?

Art, for me, is a profound, life-enriching experience that embodies my essence. It is my everything and therefore the sole, all-encompassing reason for my existence.

Omar Hassan portrait