Zakariya Al-Kindi

Iraqi artist and writer.

[klowchi]

It's been a while.

I haven't contributed meaningfully to this blog in- wow, about four years. A lot has happened that has kept me busy and away from writing, but now I feel reinvigorated and ready to pursue this passion again!

Now, I'll keep my reintroduction brief:

I'm Zakariya; Zaki for short. I'm an Iraqi-Australian artist and writer. I enjoy a variety of genres, including but not limited to: speculative fiction (especially historical), horror, action, mystery, and crime.

Topics that I'll typically explore in my work include: queerness, religion, Islamicate history, SWANA histories and cultures, war, death, loss of autonomy, sex and eroticism.

Currently, I am challenging myself to write short stories regularly to hone my writing craft.

[bongjoonhoe]

Raise the Red Lantern (大红灯笼高高挂) 1991, dir. Zhang Yimou

[roseillith]

FAREWELL MY CONCUBINE (1993) dir. Chen Kaige

[celluloidrainbow]

إسكندرية ليه | ALEXANDRIA... WHY? (1979) dir. Youssef Chahine The film, set during World War II tells multiple stories, one being the director’s own story through the character of Yehia, a young man in Egypt with directorial ambitions but the passion to be an actor, who frequently watches the same film repeatedly at his local cinema out of fear that he missed something the first time, performs Shakespeare, struggles with social and familial pressures, falls in love, and pursues his dream of studying acting at the Pasadena Playhouse. Subplots include a Jewish-Muslim couple struggling once a pregnancy comes to light, a homosexual romance between a gay English soldier and a wealthy Arab, and a wacky group of communists who plan to kidnap Winston Churchill in hopes of ending the war. (link in title)

[qalamoun]

By Iraqi-Kurdish artist Serwan Baran (b. 1968) based in Beirut, Lebanon.

[hajandradeye]

@baytal.fann

"Long known as "the cradle of civilization," Iraq has one of the richest art heritages in the world. For 500 years Baghdad was the thriving capital of the Muslim world, renowned for culture & research which has left a lasting unique charm."

For more on Islamic art, culture and heritage check out baytalfann.com

[oncanvas]

The Kawliya Dance, Hayv Kahraman, 2013

Oil on panel 47 ⅔ x 96 ⅜ in. (121 x 245 cm)

[artistbank]

Amed Moustafa

[ex0skeletal-undead]

You Are Always On My Mind by Peter Gröndahl

This artist on Instagram

[macecaress-blog]

Art by Nancy Grossman, 1960s / 1970s

[klowchi]

being a writer with an established interest in horror basically involves an endless cycle of daydreaming something extremely fucked up and in a rare moment of self-awareness going “…hey, that was a little too fucked up wasn’t it?” only to add it into your story anyway because it was fucked up enough for YOU to feel fucked up about it

[klowchi]

95% of my Terror of Man outline document(s) is just shit like this

[isherwoodj-moving]

[klowchi]

epic and sexy of us if you ask me

[isherwoodj-moving]

Would be great if past me had written a more clear outline for this scene.

[isherwoodj-moving]

no i dont

[marianarira]

All the torso animated studies.

[pacificnorthwhore]

This is just fascinating

[thecollectibles]

Art by Saye | 塞伊

[matt-erialgirl]

If this post makes you uncomfortable, I’m not sorry.

Today, innocent muslims were attacked by Israeli forces during Friday prayers in Al Aqsa mosque in Palestine. Over 150 Palestinian muslims were injured in the raid. Every year, in Ramadan, these zionists attack and hurt innocent people. They choose the most peaceful time of our Hijri year to terrorise and cause chaos. To attack innocent people in prayer is the lowest of the low and everyone needs to see this situation for what it is; this is terrorism, this is an occupation, this is the killing of innocent people. This post is to push this information out and to urge everyone to pay attention and educate themselves. I want everyone to understand that Israel is not a country, it’s stolen land - it’s the result of years of violence, terrorism and ethnic cleansing. I will not stay silent and if this makes you uncomfortable, I urge you to take a moment to find out why this makes you feel that way.

[sesiondemadrugada]

Julia Soboleva.