Voices of the East: An In-Depth Artist Interview with Ilham Mahfouz

Internationally acclaimed and multiple award-winning artist Ilham Mahfouz of Syria is a powerful voice in contemporary art—one shaped by memory, migration, faith, and an unyielding commitment to humanity. Her journey as an artist began early, rooted in childhood wonder and nurtured by a home filled with paintings and sculptures. At the age of five, Ilham discovered her love for drawing and coloring, finding joy in shapes, lines, and colors. Surrounded by family members who valued art—particularly her father and grandfather—creativity was not a hobby, but a way of life.

A formative influence in Ilham’s early artistic development was her cousin, a talented creative who introduced her to mixed media. Through imaginative experimentation—using pistachio shells, glue, watercolors, and markers to create fish forms on board—Ilham learned that art could emerge from the simplest materials. More importantly, she gained confidence and encouragement that would stay with her throughout her career. These early explorations became the foundation of her enduring passion for experimentation and mixed media.

Ilham’s life took a profound turn when she migrated from Syria to the United States, a transition that brought both challenge and growth. Arriving in a new country with no knowledge of the language or culture required resilience and adaptability. Rather than abandoning her roots, Ilham embraced both worlds—Old Syria and New America—merging tradition with modern experience. This cultural duality became central to her identity and artistic voice, enriching her perspective on humanity and deepening the emotional resonance of her work.

In the United States, Ilham pursued formal art education at Oakland Community College in Michigan, where she studied under Dr. Robert Piepenburg, a mentor she credits as life-changing. Under his guidance, she learned to build her own artistic style, break free from rigid classical approaches, and experiment boldly with new techniques. He encouraged her to think creatively, work passionately, and trust that dedication would lead not only to artistic growth, but to self-worth and fulfillment. She further expanded her practice by studying Raku and ceramics with Dr. Piepenburg and Susan Stephenson, and painting with Barry Avedan and Marc Zoratca. These experiences strengthened her connection to abstract expressionism, drawing inspiration from masters such as Picasso, Kandinsky, Jackson Pollock, Rothko, and Miró.

Ilham’s art is deeply responsive to the world around her. In a time marked by war, displacement, famine, and natural disasters, she believes that art must go beyond beauty to confront life itself. Her paintings and sculptures address social justice, human suffering, and the urgent need for peace. Some of her most striking works depict the tragedy of war through skulls piled together, drenched in red to symbolize the blood of humanity. Other sculptural installations suspend forms between earth and heaven, representing victims of war caught in a state of unresolved existence. Alongside these powerful statements are works that advocate unity, coexistence, and global harmony.

Her creative process is both intuitive and intentional. Each piece begins with an idea, then unfolds subconsciously through color, line, texture, shape, and form. Whether painting or sculpting, Ilham allows intuition to guide her while consciously shaping the work to convey a clear message. The result is art that speaks emotionally and spiritually, inviting viewers into a deeper engagement.

For Ilham, the viewer’s experience is essential. She hopes her artworks stir subconscious feelings—moments of pause that invite reflection, connection, and dialogue. Art, she believes, is a language that opens conversations and bridges understanding across cultures and experiences.

Faith plays a central role in Ilham’s life and practice. Grounded in a deep trust in God, she believes in perseverance, humility, and hope. Challenges and failures are not endings, but redirections—closed doors that make way for greater opportunities. This philosophy informs the advice she offers young artists around the world: pursue your dreams, never give up, and do not be discouraged by criticism. Creativity belongs to the artist alone, and the final voice must always come from within.

Peace, as Ilham defines it, begins inside the self—through acceptance, gratitude, and awareness of one’s blessings in a world where many suffer. From this inner peace flows love for family, community, and humanity at large. These values are woven throughout her work, reflecting her belief that we are all one family, called to help one another and share the resources with which we have been blessed.

Looking ahead, Ilham Mahfouz is currently working on new paintings centered on hope, exploring innovative mixed-media techniques, and preparing sculptures for an upcoming group exhibition in Michigan this April. She is also developing future exhibitions on both national and international platforms.

Ilham’s legacy is one of inspiration—encouraging artists to remain strong in faith, true to themselves, and engaged with the realities of the world. Through honesty, compassion, and unwavering dedication, her art continues to whisper powerful messages from the East—messages of love, resilience, and peace for all humanity.

Interview:

1- You discovered your love for drawing at a very young age. Can you tell us about one of your earliest creative memories that made you realize art would be a lifelong passion?

The earliest memory when I was 5 years old , loved to draw and color different shapes on paper , loved to work on drawing and painting , I think when you realize what gives you joy by trying and being introduce to the arts by loving parents , that filled our home with a lot of paintings and sculptures , my father was a passionate about art also my grandfather who filled our home with beautiful artworks too. So I was surrounded with art from home , I admired the skills and colors and I tried to focus on learning the art of drawing and painting. 

2- Your cousin played a key role in encouraging your early artistic development. How important was that support in shaping your confidence as a young artist?

My cousin was a talented creative artist himself, so when I was working on my artwork , he used to guide me and work with me , so he introduced mixed media to  me by using pistachio shells to form from them fishes on a Board , using glues and water colors and markers, that made me truly happy and and stayed with me , I am grateful to him for his support and guidance , that gave me confidence with his encouragement i kept on working on art .

3- How do you describe your life after moving from Syria to the USA?

Moving from Syria to USA , was a great adjustment since I came to a new country , no knowledge of language or culture or way of life, it was a challenging learning experience , I realized that I have to learn the language and adapt to the new culture but without forgetting my Old tradition , so I took the best of Both world the Old and the New (Syria and USA) . This way I combined both and that was very much added to my Art and Views on humanity. 

4- Who is your art influence?

Professor Mr: Robert Piepenburg is very important in my life I have a great gratitude and respect for Him , He taught me to build my own style , encouraged me , showed me to examine the art from a creative new way not a traditional classical way , to be experimenting with new techniques and to think outside of the box , and Keep working when you have passion in your art it will grow to a great satisfaction and that grows to appreciation of your own self-worth. 

5- How do you feel about studying the art of Raku and Ceramic?

Yes I am fortunate to study the art of Raku and Ceramic Under professor Robert Piepenburg , also Susan stephenson , for painting I was fortunate to study wit barry Avedan , & Marc Zoratca  all of those wonderful professors were into creativity with abstract art , where I can relate to Picasoo, Kandinsky , Jackson Pollock and Rothko , Miro .....

6-How do you connect your art to global issues?

As you know our current global situation where there are a lot of wars , refugees , famine, natural disasters ... etc.... As a Human being I am affected  by the surrounding news , as an artist I connect and I address the issues that affects me and moves me by expressing it in my artworks , art is the the voice for the artists to express our feelings and values . Art is not about Beauty only art is about life and its effect on humanity. 

7- How do you like others to view your art?

When the viewer see my artwork if it is a painting or a sculpture , I hope it make them feel or stir a subconscious feeling that moves them to look more carefully to the artworks and Hopefully it will give a feeling of connection  or a thought with them that open a dialogue to know more about the artworks .

8- Can you guide us in your creative process?

I start with the Idea , then I go into the artwork directly by intuition , or subconsciously , then I try to guide the artwork to seek the message I am trying to convey through colors , lines , textures etc... or in sculpture dealing with shapes and forms and surface , colors it is a combination of intuition and planning to achieve the best form of expression in art. 

9- What is your mission as an artist?

I believe as an Artist it is my duty to be honest and express in art my vision and values for social justice and humanity , I did several artworks sculptures and paintings against wars , painting and Mixed media (tragedy of wars) , with several skulls piled up on each others with red color paints represent the blood of humanity , I also did a sculptures hung in space between earth and heaven ( in the gallery between the ground and the ceiling in space ) representing the victims of wars suspended in space , also I did paintings for world peace to live together in harmony and peace. 

10- How does the different cultures of Syria and the USA influence your life?

I am fortunate to have Both cultures of Old Syria , and New America , both our beloved countries , and I have chosen to get the best of the two world , and convey it in my artworks for me that is my Root , my Identity and My values I share it with the world by using it in my artworks , when I promote peace , when I promote to help humanity , care for one another as a human being help one another these are values of both world I treasure and I continue to apply them in my life and in my art. 

11- What is your message to aspiring artists?

Every Human Being has a moment of doubt , don't surrender to it , try to be positive and keep on trying , you can make it and you can achieve your dreams , if one criticizes your work , remember that is their opinion , that doesn't mean it is true . 

I always question their motives and I advise you to keep on working till you listen to your inner voice that will guide you. If you like your artwork and are satisfied with it you defend it . your creativity is yours , and the last decision or say is your no one else.

12- How do you handle adversities?

I stay grounded with strong faith , everything I do is guided by God, I surrender to the will of God , but my duty to try always try never give up , if I don;t succeed at first or second or third it is for a reason , I keep on trying you look at the Ant it tries to carry food and it falls several times and it keep on trying till she bring it home , I believe if God close one door he Opens 99 Doors , so focus on the open doors not the closed one. 

13- Describe peace in your own words.

Peace in oneself is peace , accepting your own limitation without being angry and realizing that you are blessed , peace when you see people without food and you are blessed with food and shelters so you will be grateful , peace is love for yourself , family , community and the world to live in peace and harmony with one another. 

14- What is your legacy to the world as an artist?

My legacy is to inspire artists to keep strong in faith , in themselves and keep on working with their art and everything will arrive at the right moment , never give up , keep on working be aware of your current events and express it in your artworks address it , care deeply  and you shall achieve your dreams to become a reality. 

15 - Do you have any upcoming projects?

Yes, I am working on new paintings for an exhibit (hope) i think that will allow me to experiment in new mixed media and paintings , also some sculptures preparing for a group art exhibit in Michigan in April , also working on future exhibits nationally and internationally ,