Known for his use of bright colors to depict places and people, Iraqi-American artist Saad Hindal has lived in Concord for 17 years. In that time, he’s created hundreds of paintings of the city he calls home.
Now, seven of his paintings will be displayed in a long-term gallery at the city’s Parks and Recreation building, where he hopes to install a mural.
“It is a big project to paint a mural,” he said. “It will take several weeks and has expenses that I hope to cover by raffling off the original painting, ‘Summer Fun in Concord,’ which will be used as a model for the mural.”
The community will celebrate Hindal’s work at a reception on Thursday, September 11, from 3-6 p.m. at Concord Parks and Recreation (14 Canterbury Road), where the raffle will take place.
Ahead of the reception, Hindal shared more about his art, his inspiration and his creative process.
Q: What has your journey as an artist looked like? As a refugee and immigrant, my family and I came to America seeking asylum. We found a welcoming community in Concord, and much of my artwork reflects the capital city which I have come to call home.
Q: Tell us about some of your recent Concord projects. My artwork can be seen all around town, including a mural at the Bank of NH Stage, the cover of the Chamber of Commerce 2024-25 map of Concord and this year’s Concord Public Library bookmarks.
This summer, I organized a community mural on canvas. Many Concord residents painted their homes, animals and favorite locations on the mural.
Q: Where can Concord residents find your work around the city? My art is in homes, businesses and galleries across Concord. I have a gallery at 45 North Main Street, inside the DIY building (old CVS). Some of my paintings are also hanging at Brothers’ Cortado cafe. My biggest local mural is at the Bank of NH Stage in the lobby. Watch for my holiday gallery coming soon at 55 North Main Street!
Q: How does working on a mural differ from creating smaller paintings? I like to make a colorful border for my murals. These colors depict the many different people in the community. My latest mural was a community project where people came and painted their homes, animals, and local landmarks. I like to include the colorful local characters of Concord in my paintings, along with cats, dogs, birds, parks and local features like the State Capitol building.
Q: What does your creative process look like? My process varies depending on the type of painting I am doing. It is always a creative flow more than a prepared idea. I call it “art by memory” because I look back in my mind for the feeling of the places and then paint how I remember experiencing them…the places, the people, the life of a place.
Q: What does art mean to you? I paint to make people happy and remember what is good about life. I use bright colors that enliven people’s eyes and hearts when they see my paintings. This brings me joy.
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring artists? Make as much art as you can!
Q: What else do you want people to know about you and your work? With over 40 years of experience as an artist, I have thousands of pieces of art…murals, street art, paintings, furniture, and publications. I paint original art, inspired art, and commissioned art. Much of my painting is done on ‘found objects’…old canvases and frames that I make into something new, bright and beautiful. Part of my unique style is that I often incorporate the frame in the painting, leaving the viewer with the feeling that the painting extends out into the room.
For more information on Saad Hindal and his art, visit saadhindalart.com.
