10 Questions with Bîstyek

Born in 1996 in Syria from a Kurdish family, Bîstyek emerged from a refugee background to become a visual artist. His journey began with a pivotal moment when he decided to quit his job, dedicating himself entirely to his passion for painting. In a mere three months, he completed 40-50 paintings, realizing that art was not just a choice but an intrinsic part of his identity and self-expression. Bîstyek's art embodies the raw essence of life's complexities, capturing personal narratives of displacement and resilience, offering a unique and emotive perspective on the human experience. His canvases act as a refuge from conventionality, portraying emotive portraits of refugees and elements derived from his intimate experiences. Characterized by dramatic imagery and saturated colors, his artistic style invites viewers into a world reflecting memories and emotions, unveiling the depths of his journey and expressions.

bistyek.ca | @bistyek_

ARTIST STATEMENT

Bîstyek, born in 1996 in Aleppo, Syria, now resides in Winnipeg, Canada, where he works as a multidisciplinary artist specializing in painting, sculpture, and drawing. Renowned for his bold use of color and expressive lines, he blends elements of graffiti, street art, and abstraction while also creating figurative paintings on various surfaces and 3D wood sculptures. His work primarily reflects on his personal journey, from his marginalized upbringing in Syria, experiencing war and displacement as a teenager, to his adulthood as a person of color and newcomer to Canada. In his artistic practice, Bîstyek employs a diverse range of materials, including acrylic paint, oil pastel, spray paint, markers, and pencil, which he applies to various surfaces such as canvas, wood, paper, linen, and fabric. Additionally, he integrates recycled materials into his work, contributing to its unique texture and character. For Bîstyek, art is a spontaneous expression of his emotions and experiences, serving as a medium to convey his personal narrative, familial history, and cultural identity. It flows naturally, devoid of deliberate contemplation, driven by an innate urge to create and communicate. Through his work, he aims to evoke emotions, foster connections, challenge perceptions, and dismantle stereotypes.

When They Come I’ll Protect You, acrylic, spray paint on canvas, 169 x 169 cm, 2022 © Bîstyek

INTERVIEW

First of all, what drew you to painting? How did you first discover the medium, and what inspired you to test yourself with it?

As a child growing up in poverty in Syria, we didn't have a TV at home in the early years of my life. Whenever I visited my relatives, I'd watch cartoons at their house, and when I got home at night, I'd start drawing the characters I admired. It was my way of keeping them close, something I could look at whenever I felt bored or needed comfort.
Being Kurdish also played a big role in how I connected with art. I vividly remember an experience in fourth grade when our art teacher asked us to draw something for a grade. I went home and created an abstract drawing using the colors I always saw in our Kurdish celebrations—red, green, and yellow. The next day, when I handed it in, the teacher slapped me in front of the whole class and threw my drawing away. It was then that I learned those colors symbolized Kurdish identity, and not everyone accepted them. That moment stuck with me. It made me realize that art could carry meaning, identity, and emotion—it wasn't just about creating something pretty; it could tell a story.
For me, painting and drawing have always been a way to communicate and express who I am and what I'm going through. I never thought of myself as an artist growing up; it was just something I did naturally, almost like breathing. Over time, I realized how powerful this medium is for connecting with others and sharing my journey.

No More, mixed media on wood, 244 x 244 cm, 2021 © Bîstyek

Why, in particular, did you choose painting over other mediums? How does this help you convey your message better than other means of expression?

I chose painting because it was the most accessible medium during my youth. Growing up in poverty, I didn't have access to expensive tools or formal training, but I made do with whatever I could find—pencils, markers, scraps of paper, or even cards and discarded materials I collected from the street. Painting gave me a way to express myself freely and creatively despite limited resources.
What makes painting so powerful is its universal nature—it doesn't need words to convey emotions or tell stories.Through color, texture, and form, I can share my identity and experiences in a raw and honest way. Its accessibility during my youth shaped how I connect with it today, using it as a tool to communicate and resonate with others.

Your artistic journey began when you decided to pivot to painting. How did you train yourself to become the skilled artist you are nowadays? What experiences and figures helped you along the way?

My journey as an artist has been entirely self-taught, shaped by a deep commitment to learning and an instinctive need to create. I did everything I could to train myself—exposing myself to different artists, studying art schools from a distance, reading books, and diving into art history. I began collecting art books and reading everything I could get my hands on. Learning about different artists and following their work inspired me to experiment and push myself.
Painting for me wasn't just about practicing a skill—it was about expressing what was inside me. Spending countless hours with my paints allowed me to not only grow as an artist but also connect deeply with my experiences. My work is influenced by a multi-layered life: being raised by a single mother in poverty, experiencing marginalization as a Kurdish person, enduring displacement as a refugee in Lebanon, and starting over as a newcomer to Canada without knowing a word of English.
The figures who've shaped me are as diverse as my experiences—from my mother, who sacrificed so much for our family, to people I met along my journey, to the countless role models and artists I admire. Artists like Sliman Mansour, Dia Al-Azzawi, Basquiat, Banksy, George Condo, and so many others have inspired me to push boundaries and find my ownvoice in art.

Coming from a refugee background, your work often reflects themes of displacement and resilience. How do you translate these deeply personal experiences into visual narratives on your canvases?

My background as a refugee profoundly shapes my work, and I try to translate those experiences of displacement and resilience onto the canvas in a way that speaks to both my personal journey and broader human struggles. Displacement, for me, isn't just about geography—it's about identity, loss, and the constant search for belonging. I translate these themes through bold colors, abstract forms, and layers of texture. Each layer represents different facets of my experiences—memories, emotions, and the challenges of adapting to new environments.
I often use symbols and colors that carry personal meaning—like the Kurdish flag colors, which represent my heritage and cultural resilience. My work is an emotional release, a way to process what I've lived through and to give a visual form to things that are often hard to put into words. Ultimately, the goal is to create pieces that resonate with others, especially those who've experienced similar struggles. I want people to connect with my work, to feel the strength in it, and to see that despite displacement and hardship, there is always the possibility of resilience and transformation.

Your art is known for its dramatic imagery and bold colors. What influences your choice of palette and the emotions you aim to evoke through these visual elements?

My choice of palette and bold colors are deeply influenced by my personal experiences, the emotions I want to convey, and the vivid imagery from my childhood. Growing up in Syria, I was surrounded by strong contrasts in both nature and Kurdish celebrations. The bright colors became a symbol of identity and resilience, which I continue to bring into my art.
The dramatic imagery I use reflects the intensity of my feelings, particularly tied to displacement, loss, and survival. Colors like red, green, and yellow represent the Kurdish flag and my connection to my heritage. Darker tones mirror the hardships of my journey as a displaced person.
My palette goes beyond visual appeal; it's about capturing the emotional weight of my experiences. I aim to evoke urgency, reflection, or empowerment through color, allowing it to stir something in the viewer. Cartoons I watched as a child also played a significant role in my work. Without a TV at home, I would visit relatives to watch vibrant, bold cartoons that left a lasting impression on me. These bright, exaggerated colors shaped my visual language and continue to influence how I use color today.
The vivid colors in cartoons were energetic and expressive, and they still inform my palette. I now use that same boldness in my art, reflecting the vibrancy and energy I experienced as a child. Just as cartoons were a form of escapism and communication for me, my artwork now serves as a tool for expressing complex emotions and connecting my past influences to my present artistic voice.

War Zone, mixed media on canvas, 142 x 185 cm, 2022 © Bîstyek

You've mentioned that your creative process is spontaneous and driven by emotion. Can you walk us through a typical day in your studio?

I don't have a typical day in the studio because my creative process is spontaneous and driven by emotion. I never plan to paint—it's always when my soul feels compelled to do so. I don't paint just because there's an empty canvas in front of me; it's a natural, organic process that comes when I feel the urge.
When I do feel like painting, I usually start by putting on music. My music taste is diverse, ranging from hip-hop and jazz to Arabic and Kurdish songs, depending on what resonates with me at the moment. I surround myself with magazines and books, which often serve as visual inspiration or a way to dive deeper into certain ideas. The environment in my studio is casual and open, with no set routine. It's all about creating space for those emotions to flow and letting the process unfold naturally.

Slam Dunk, acrylic paint, spray paint on wood, 121 x 243 cm, 2022 © Bîstyek

Your work incorporates diverse materials, from acrylics and spray paint to recycled items. How do these materials contribute to the storytelling aspect of your art?

The materials I use in my work are integral to the storytelling process, adding layers of meaning and texture that enhance the narrative. Acrylics and spray paint provide a bold, expressive way to capture emotions and energy, allowing me to work quickly and intuitively. These materials help convey the rawness of my feelings and the urgency of my experiences, from the struggles of displacement to moments of resilience.
Recycled items play a significant role in my work as well, representing my connection to the world around me. Growing up, I collected scraps of paper from the streets to draw on, a practice that connected me to my environment and the necessity of using what was available. The discarded materials, now integrated into my art, reflect my experiences of scarcity and resilience, adding depth to the overall narrative. Similarly, my mother's resourcefulness influences my approach. She would sew blankets from leftover patches of fabric and old clothes. This act of transformation—turningwhat was discarded into something valuable—has stayed with me. I now incorporate found materials into my art to honor that same spirit of creativity born out of necessity.
These materials are not just aesthetic choices but carry stories of survival, resourcefulness, and a deep connection to my past. By using these recycled elements, I can create pieces that feel grounded in my childhood and family history. They invite the viewer to engage with the deeper layers of these narratives, connecting the past, present, and future in a way that is authentic and meaningful.

Graffiti, street art, and abstraction are some of the influences evident in your style. Who or what has inspired you to integrate these elements into your artistic language?

Graffiti, street art, and abstraction are powerful influences in my work because they represent freedom, rebellion, and direct expression. Growing up, graffiti felt like a raw, unapologetic form of communication, bypassing traditional barriers like language and authority. It connected with my experiences of displacement and identity.
Street art's spontaneity and immediacy also resonated with me. It's a way to engage with people directly, without formalities, which reflects how I approach my art. Abstraction, on the other hand, allows me to express emotions and experiences that can't be captured realistically—like loss, resilience, and survival.
Artists like Basquiat, Banksy, and Keith Haring, who blend abstraction with street influences, have inspired me to use bold, dynamic visuals to communicate my personal and cultural narratives. These elements help me convey complex emotions and connect with my audience in a direct, impactful way.

Lady, acrylic paint, oil pastel, spray paint on canvas, 152 x 122 cm, 2021 © Bîstyek

Given your experience of marginalization and displacement, how do you view the role of art in challenging stereotypes and fostering empathy?

Art is a powerful tool for challenging stereotypes and fostering empathy because it shares personal stories that humanize experiences often overlooked. As someone who has faced marginalization and displacement, I use my work to highlight the complexity of identity, shifting the narrative beyond one-dimensional stereotypes.
By expressing my experiences through art, I invite viewers to see the world through my eyes, cultivating empathy and understanding. Art bridges gaps between different communities, creating space for dialogue and reflection and reminding us of our shared humanity.

Lastly, what are you working on currently, and how does it reflect your evolving artistic practice or the new directions you're exploring?

I just wrapped up an exhibition called Inside Out, which invited viewers to step into my world. In that show, I showcased a mix of drawings, paintings, and wooden sculptures, a medium I am currently exploring more. I'm also working on a new body of work titled Demons and Angels, which delves into the duality of human nature—examining both good and evil. This series reflects my evolving artistic practice as I continue to explore new ways of expressing complex themes through different materials and forms.

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.

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