Aziz El Khiar

VIVANI

Aziz, tell us a bit about yourself and your story. Where do you live and how did you become interested in art?

Aziz

Ich bin 1970 in Agadir (Marokko) geboren und hatte dort eine sehr glückliche Kindheit I was born in 1970 in Agadir (Morocco). I had a very happy childhood and adolescence there. I moved to Germany in 1996. Nowadays I live in Gevelsberg with my family and work in Wuppertal as a self-employed joiner. Art has always been a part of my life: when I was five I used to make little sculptures and carry them around in my trouser pockets. I began painting in Germany; first with pastels and then with acrylics and oil paints. I still make wood and metal sculptures, mostly from things I find that others have thrown away.

VIVANI

You paint, make sculptures and work with a huge range of materials. What is the common theme that runs through all of these different fields? What is typical Aziz? Do you have a trademark, so that people can recognise your work?

Aziz

It is hard to say. My themes are really varied, and my style is too. But my work is always about things that affect me personally.

VIVANI

How would you describe your style?

Aziz

You could maybe define my style as expressionist; but I don’t tend to think about things like that too much. Like I say, my pictures vary greatly depending on the current phase I am in.

VIVANI

Do you have any role models and sources of inspiration? Where do you get your creativity from?

Aziz

I really like Schiele and Basquiat, and you can see this in some of my pictures. The Koran is also a source of inspiration for me with the stories it contains. Otherwise, it is simply life with all its many facets.

VIVANI

Your art can now be seen on the VIVANI range of drinking chocolate. How were the paintings created and what does this co-operation mean to you?

Aziz

I produced the pictures especially for the drinking chocolate and sought inspiration from the cocoa plant. VIVANI chocolate is a really special product and always stands out thanks to its stunning, artistic packaging. As such, I was really happy to be able to contribute with two pieces of art and maybe also increase my profile.

VIVANI

Why do you think art and chocolate go so well together?

Aziz

They both involve having a sensual experience.

VIVANI

Can you imagine painting with cocoa paint or chocolate?

Aziz

Of course, why not?