Jordanian Artist Tamer Al Ahmar Revives Cultural Icons in Unique Ways

Tamer Al-Ahmar displays some of his art in Amman, Jordan

I first stumbled upon Tamer Al-Ahmar's art when I was in Jordan in the summer of 2016.  His work--showcasing such cultural icons as Fairuz, Sabah, Um Kulthum and Dalida--immediately caught my eye and I resolved to meet this fine young artist who, several months later, agreed to speak with me via Skype about his work and background.

Tamer told me that had been interested in art ever since he can remember and, growing up, initially wanted to be a fashion designer.  In school, his drawings would be displayed and admired by students and faculty alike and he even had a private Facebook group where he drew memorable caricatures for selected friends who urged him to publish his work in different media.

Despite the fact that he majored in Business at the University of Jordan, Tamer always participated in art workshops and became very interested in the digital medium. Here, he credits Professor Alia Nemeh Haddad for recognizing his artistic talent and for encouraging to go further. "I did a presentation for one of her courses where I spoke about my art and she was amazed," he said. "She subsequently invited him to give various lectures about my art in different venues."

Tamer's first professional break came when he was hired by a Jordanian kids' magazine called Kidztimez where he began creating various characters.  "We started with two pages," he recalls, "then it turned into four then eventually I began designing their design cover."  See samples below.

 

His artistic journey then led him to begin immortalizing cultural figures he admired through his unique artistic style. "The first artwork I did was of Asmahan," he says, "and that piece was immediately commissioned by several stores in Amman who wanted to sell the poster. "I then continued the set by creating pieces for Fairuz, Sabah, Dalida, Shadia, Najat Al-Saghira and
Warda."  The set was subsequently displayed in various galleries, boutiques and stores in Amman--a step that solidified Tamer's reputation as one of Jordan's most groundbreaking artists.

Tamer Al-Ahmar with his artistic tribute to Fairuz

The unprecedented--and perhaps unexpected--interest in Tamer's art led him to join Society6, an online platform where anyone can purchase his art from prints and posters to imprinted T-shirts and other memorabilia.  The site offers worldwide service and timely delivery options. See THIS LINK.

Tamer's artwork can be ordered at https://society6.com/tameralahmarart

The success of Tamer's art, particularity the iconic series that initially launched his career, led the young artist to expand his "Diva Tributes" to include such icons as Souad Husni and Samira Tawfiq, as well as new pieces for Fairuz, Sabah, and Wadi El Safi.  He also issued a set of postcards in Jordan which have proved quite successful.

For his next project, Tamer is working on a series of male icons/singers--some of which he has already completed--including his tribute to legendary Egyptian crooner Abdul Halim Hafez,

In addition to his impressing oeuvre in digital pieces, Tamer has of late been working with Director Faisal Attrache on the movie poster for the latter's upcoming film, From the Mountain. "When Faisal saw my art, he immediately connected with me," he said. "We then worked for over two months to perfect the work, and it looks like Faisal will be using as the main poster for the film."

Poster for From the Mountain film, designed by Tamer Al-Ahmar

Tamer Al-Ahmar's art makes for a perfect, unique gift for anyone interested in cultural figures from the Arab world.  I myself just received my Fairuz phone cover--which I ordered from the Society6 website--and I love it!

For more info about Tamer Al-Ahmar's work, see facebook.com/tameralahmarart
To order various items featuring Tamer Al-Ahmar work, go to https://society6.com/tameralahmarart

Emel Mathlouthi Wows San Francisco (2017)

Emel Mathlouthi at Cafe du Nord, SF on May 16, 2017

Legendary Tunisian singer/songwriter/producer Emel Mathlouthi, whose early songs served as the soundtrack to the Tunisian Revolution and the Arab Spring, performed to a full crowd at San Francisco's Cafe du Nord on May 16, 2017.  The evening was one to remember for a long time to come.

Although this one-night only bay area performance mainly served to promote Emel's latest CD, titled Ensen, the performer did not shy away from singing some of her older hits, including her legendary song "Kelmti Horra"--a performance that brought the house down.

But perhaps the highlight of the evening was the impromptu songs that Emel sang with the audience which seemed quite content to sing along--even in Arabic--while demandeing encore after encore.  One of those priceless moments was captured in the video below where the Tunisian songstress, deluged by requests for more songs, was happy to oblige.

Video Highlights from Emel Mathlouthi's SF Concert: https://youtu.be/5k6mOxc1_kQ



The day following her SF concert, Emel performed in LA--the last stop on her US tour.