Art

Here's the thing, I normally add analysis I'm certain of. Or others writings. For this one i can't say I have a perfect analysis nor have I found much information about the painting.

Woth that disclaimer:

His style often involves surreal or symbolic imagery, mixing real and imagined elements, dealing with memory, identity, cultural trauma, and the effects of war and displacement. (Inferred from his general body of work)

Three important 'figures' here, firstly:

• In Islamic tradition and literature, the hoopoe (“hudhud” in Arabic) appears in the Qur’an as a messenger.

• Also in Sufi writings the hoopoe often serves as a guide, a wise bird that leads others toward truth or spiritual awakening.

• More generally, birds are used as metaphors for transcendence, migration, spiritual journey, exile, longing or connection between earth and divine.

• It looks left, opposite to the others — suggesting remembrance, resistance, or connection to the past. It's turned gaze might symbolize the true direction of wisdom, looking back to heritage, memory, or moral grounding — while the human “leader” points elsewhere.

Given that Muayad Muhsen is Iraqi, and that the painting was done in 2017, it might be responding to Iraq’s recent history: conflict, displacement, destruction. The hoopoe—beautiful, fragile, resilient—could symbolize the country, the people, or heritage.

On a large canvas, showing a single elegant bird may create themes of isolation or solitude. If the background seems spare or minimal, that could highlight vulnerability.

Directions: Western man: Points right Rationalism, modernity, imposed direction Local crowd: Moves right Collective migration, following, displacement Hoopoe: Looks left Memory, spiritual insight, resistance, truth

Dressing: The faceless Western man: The facelessness strips him of individuality — he’s a type, not a person. He could represent the West as an abstract force: modernity, power, intervention, or colonial influence. His gesture — pointing right — may signify direction, authority, or control: a figure who claims to guide or direct others. Yet the lack of a face might imply detachment, moral blindness, or the absence of empathy.

The migrating crowd: If they are local people, moving rightward under the pointing gesture, the scene evokes migration, displacement, or guided exodus. The rightward movement may imply progress or escape, but under the guidance of a faceless outsider, it also raises questions: Are they being led astray? Do they follow blindly? What is being left behind?

Elegant in the title suggests that the hoopoe is not just being shown as a wild bird, but as something with refinement or nobility.

The faceless Western man symbolizes outside influence directing local peoples — mirroring Iraq’s long history of colonization, intervention, and reconstruction. The locals’ movement suggests enforced or misguided change, while the hoopoe’s resistance embodies cultural continuity.

The traditional guide and messenger (the hoopoe) has been reduced to an accessory on the Western man’s shoulder — its wisdom present but unheeded. It looks backward, perhaps mourning or calling attention to what’s lost, while humanity charges blindly ahead.

The contrast may critique how “progress” is defined and who decides it. The facelessness and directionality imply asymmetry in power and vision.

Now this is symbolist work. So there doesn't not need to be one explanation. With all these ideas you can take any idea you like and riff on it.

Also this is mostly coming from composition and ignoring color etc. You can add any other ideas you have on top of any you like.

There isnt an objective answer. You can find one answer acceptable one day and a different one another day. That's what I love about the vague symbolist art across mediums.

Remember this is just the idea of one random guy, if you disagree and have a different explanation, perfectly OK.

The pink triangle.

For my guess. Maybe it has to do with the triangle of death in Iraq, an area in Iraq which saw a lot of violence during the US occupation. Pink for blood. Wearing it on his chest as an accomplishment with pride.