Its all in your head they said
Ray Haikal
- Sitter: Ray Haikal
- Medium: Mixed Media
- Dimensions: 80cm x 95cm
- Representation: This artist represents themselves
About the artwork
In this self-portrait, Ray Haikal is depicted in a complex emotional and psychological state.
“This self-portrait represents a moment of vulnerability in my life. Eyes closed reflecting an inward gaze, no agency over my body, in a state of total disorientation and transcendence. The name of the painting is ‘It’s all in your head they said’ because for years that was a trigger for me. And that trigger sentence was attached to me seeing photos of myself in that state of psychosis.”
Through light, shadow and colour, the painting draws on the sensory landscape of nightlife and a period in his life defined by the release of emotion through dance.
“Last year, I started to use my art practice as a tool for self-discovery and reflection. I wanted to look back at a time in my life when I felt vulnerable and do it by truly looking at that moment and painting it, being the viewer in that experience.”
About the artist
Brisbane based artist Ray Haikal is an emerging, self-taught, queer Lebanese-Australian painter who works as an architect and tattooist. Using acrylic, collage and mixed media, he mostly creates abstract landscapes and recently moved into portraiture. His work is guided by emotion, memory and music and closely linked to his meditation practice. He has been part of several group exhibitions.
