This interview was curated by Nadia Othman

My name is Hamza Arman, I am a few things when it comes to art jeweler/photographer/wood artist. One of my first exposures to art was in jewelry. When I came back to America from Palestine I started working at my uncle’s jewelry shop in Chicago. I was taught how to make wire, sand cast, rings etc. it was an intro. As I was thinking about what I was going to say for the intro I realized that I never really studied or went to school for any of the things “art” that I do. It’s always been out of necessity that I learned these skills or found myself.

How did you get your Artist name?

The word Baladi is interesting. So it could mean my country or it could mean belonging to the country. Lots of the time it family would call me that because I was born in Palestine and because my work is heavily focused on Palestine as well. Also because when I got to Palestine I’m in it. Like when it’s the olive harvest season I’m right there with my family picking olives.

How did you get into creating?

To touch back on the intro, creating has always been out of necessity. Jewelry was my intro into getting to know myself. Photography I would say was the only one form of art that I didn’t do out of necessity. I picked up photography when I was in Palestine in 2010. I was there for a year and a half. I wasn’t really active on social media but there was an app that caught my attention which was IG. I started to take photos of Palestine with my iPhone 4 and people would engage. I realized that that lots of people don’t know the beauty of what Palestine has to offer so I might as well share it. The rest is history, I bought a dslr after that and fell in love with photography. Wood art depending on the time was out of necessity.

Where are you from?

I am a Palestinian ethnically, culturally diluted a little with living in the USA.

How did growing up in your neighborhood/city affect you?

I never really grew up in one city. We moved around a lot between Chicago, Atlanta and Palestine. I would say that affected me a lot. I was a teenager in the West Bank when the second intifada broke out. So we saw the road closures, tanks stopping us, tear gas shot at us, actual bullets shot at us etc so all of that you would think would be a deterrent for the love of Palestine but it actually did the opposite. All my work is Palestine. Also living between here and there and moving in the USA has affected me in other ways like I am quick to adapt to my surroundings.

What did you do to advance your skills/knowledge?

Honestly just asking. I learn a lot my elders. People say go on YouTube which I do sometimes but for the most part I learn from the people that I look up to as my mentors and random people that know a thing or two at art shops or photo labs. I love learning from people.

What does your current setup look like?

Currently it’s my garage. It is filled with wood since I just bought a bunch of slabs from this one guy. I have all my tools in the garage and it’s also a place of gathering when i don’t have the tools on. For now it’s everything wood. All types of different species and also reclaimed wood.

Who inspires you?

It’s a list of people, I would say my grandfather is one of them. He was always that type of person that figured it out. I wouldn’t say it was just a moment. It’s actually just his entire life as a person. He used to reclaim wood before it was cool and sustainable lol. So just being in Palestine at a young age 12-17 and being around him I would say inspired me but after a long time. At that time I didn’t know or even have a clue why he would do certain things but now I totally do.

What is your goal when you create?

There are a few goals also depending on the art itself. So photography my goal at that time when I started was to show people something other than bloodshed. That we have a lot more to offer than war. With the wood working my goal is similar to that. That we as a people have creativity, we have love for the arts and if given that chance we can flourish just like anyone else and even more.

Why do you create?

I love it tbh. Like I said in the intro lots of it was out of necessity but Subhanallah it’s as if those times I was struggling wasn’t really a struggle but a blessing and sort of the begging into my path of finding myself.

How has choosing your creative path affected your life?

Of course, there were times where I was broke and had my electricity cut off because I couldn’t keep up with art work and other work. It’s been a struggle but I’ve found balance between the two.

Did you have to overcome any obstacles along the way?

I would say lots of it has been a struggle mainly in the beginning. Alhamdulilah where I’m currently at at this stage like I said I’ve found a balance. When I first started to reclaim wood I actually used to dumpster dive. Looking back on it idk if I’d do that again lol but I’d have people looking at me some type of way. At the time I never really saw it as a big deal but now looking back I know people where giving me a side eye. Didn’t really care tho, my father was one of the people that would always tell me never be ashamed of work. As long as you don’t have to beg people for money it’s doesn’t matter what you do (also as long as it’s legal and halal )

What's your go-to song right now and why is it important to you?

Tbh I don’t really listen to music as I’m working. When I’m sawing a piece of wood either with the jig saw or scroll saw, table saw etc I need to be 110% focused. These machines can chop off my fingers lol can’t be distracted to a beat.

What is your dream as an artist and what steps are you taking to reach your dream?

Dreams dreams, one of my dreams would be to be able to share my work all over. I’ve always wanted one of my photos be the it photo when people think of the dome of the rock for instance. The dome of the rock is always portrayed from the Mt of olives on a sunny day. It’s the most basic bland photo ever. I want one of mine to be the photo people think of when they think some of the rock. Another one of my dreams is to be able to connect with artists from all over and be their bridge into the western world. A few reasons I want to do that. One reason is because we have so much to offer as a people and at times we don’t have the platforms to do so. We have so many artist that do amazing work but they are limited. The steps I’m currently taking is just meeting some of these people from different countries. Trying to bring their stuff here to the USA and showcasing their work.

What would you tell someone else with a dream?

Follow it but be consistent and don’t burn out and do not let people discourage you. Confidence but not arrogance and don’t be afraid of constructive criticism.

Tell us about your most recent release

The most recent release is my Palestine cutout with barbed wire in the gap. This project has been a journey. So it started in 2018. Basically I was working construction at the time and we were renovating a 100 year old house in Atlanta. I saw this door that they were going to throw away so I was like okay might as well take it. I just the door in two parts and it collected dust for about 6 years. I had bought some barbed wire and it started to collect dust as well. I’ve always wanted to do something with it but I didn’t know what exactly. Anyway there was a Ramadan bazar in Atlanta and I decided to use the old door. I took the door to a friend and he did a laser cut out on the door. I put a piece of copper under it and took it to the bazar. No one looked at it lol. It sucked big time. Anyways I took it back home and was like we’re going to give you a makeover. I stripped all the old paint off then painted it black and white. Then I didn’t know what I was going to do till bingo the barbed wire popped up. At first I wasn’t sure how I was going to incorporate barbed wire. So I asked one of my sisters and she told me it would look cool if you didn’t see the barbed wire too much. That’s when I realized that l needed to fill the whole gap with it. I also painted it red.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C5i1LWXMbBa/?igsh=MWVlYnh4Nzk4NzMyOA==

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