Whispers from the East

"Explosions of color and energy characterize the paintings of Ilham Badreddine Mahfouz. She paints with the exuberance of a woman who loves her life and extracts the most out of it. Quick energetic brush strokes imbue her work with a tremendous sense of vitality, while the tensions of juxtaposing angles and curves reinforce the dynamic spirit of her work. Syrian by birth and upbringing, Ilham Badreddine Mahfouz uniquely combines a quality of Middle Eastern mosaic and Moorish tile work with abstract expressionism, giving her paintings a distinct, individualistic character. The power of her color chords and animated brushstrokes compel viewers to interact with those of the artist, at times clashing, at other times harmonizing, but always igniting the silent dialogue between artist and viewer." -Diana Roberts, Manhattan Arts, 1995

"Ilham Badreddine Mahfouz has exhibited her award-winning art work (paintings and ceramics) in numerous galleries in the United States. She organized "Visions of Peace: Arab American Artists," a world premiere exhibit with a strong emphasis on Arab Americans' artistic reactions to the tragic events of September 11. -Maximillien De Lafayette, The 1000 Most Important Women of the Middle East and the Arab World, Volume 3, 2013

"We live in a world in which too often it seems that madness reigns. So, to know-Ilham Badreddine Mahfouz-someone whose compassion and loving-kindness are not simply attributes but the fiber of her existence gives me pause to hope that humanity's outcome will ultimately improve. She is truly an inspired teacher and such a talent with many media. Ilham's faith is endless and therein lies hope. I can only wish that everyone knew someone like her because it would make their lives better." -Carol Paster, Former Director, Pontiac Creative Arts Center, Pontiac, Michigan

"In my paintings, I try to capture my life experiences as well as my outlook on life. I try to display emotions and reactions in my work through several layers of paint. Beneath the many layers may lie the subconscious. I enjoy the various emotions revealed to me from colors storming toward each other. Diverse lines and shapes ease the tension and help to balance the painting harmoniously. Through my work, I support the message of peace and harmony. I believe that if we want a peaceful world, we must live with and help each other." -Ilham Badreddine Mahfouz