Unique techniques and innovative approaches inform Aj's abstracts

Aj is a self-taught abstract artist based in Dubai. Originally from Paris, she has been shaped by formative periods in Geneva and London. Her practice is rooted in the language of colour, emotion and intuitive movement, creating visual dialogues that exceed verbal expression. In her art making, she combines a mixed-media process with poured acrylic and oil pastels and follows the natural flow of pigment, while mediating with planned interventions. The interplay of fluidity and precision is a mirror of the human experience itself, according to her — unpredictable, layered, and alive. For Aj, unpredictability is a necessary input for creativity, serving as a catalyst for transformation. Each of her pieces is a conversation between order and disorder, presence and absence, the seen and the not-yet-seen. Aj’s work draws upon her personal journey across cultures and geographies, while remaining universally relevant. Her colourful world is not only a reflection of her internal landscapes, but also an invitation for viewers to find their own meaning in the movement of colour and form. Aj speaks to Gulf Today

- Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

Have you had formal art training?

No, I am completely self-taught. My journey into art came from a very personal, intuitive place rather than an academic or technical background. I've always been drawn to creativity, colour, textures and movement; later in life, painting called me in a way I could no longer resist. The fact that I haven't had formal training has actually given me freedom. I approach the canvas without boundaries of theory, letting instinct and emotion guide me. My art is a conversation between my inner world and the material; it is not a process dictated by rules.

Why does Abstract attract you?

Abstract art allows me to express what words cannot. Emotions, memories and energies don't always have clear shapes, but they have weight, movement, and colour. Abstract gives me the freedom to translate the unspoken into something visual. It’s deeply personal, yet universal. Every viewer can bring their own story into my work. For me, abstraction is not about explaining or representing, but about feeling, intuiting, and connecting on a level beyond language.

Where do you find your inspiration?