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Writer's pictureHassan Zakaria

The Forbidden Fruit



The forbidden fruit serves as a central symbol in my work, representing the tension between desire and restriction, temptation and consequences. I explore these themes through expressionism, bringing out the raw emotions that arise from pushing against boundaries. The idea of "forbidden" has always fascinated me because it goes beyond moral rules and social taboos to touch on something fundamental about human nature—the urge to cross lines, to reach for what we’re told we can’t have.

The Forbidden Fruit as a Universal Symbol

The concept of the forbidden fruit isn’t tied to one specific story or culture; it’s a universal symbol that shows up in many different myths and legends. Of course, the most famous example is the biblical story of Adam and Eve, where the fruit represents disobedience and the loss of innocence. But in my art, I’m not just talking about one story. For me, the forbidden fruit represents any kind of boundary or limit that is placed in front of us, whether it’s a social rule, a cultural norm, or a personal fear.

In my paintings, the fruit often appears in various forms—sometimes glowing and enticing, other times decayed or fractured—to reflect the different layers of temptation and risk. It stands for that moment of hesitation before stepping over the line, the internal struggle that arises when we’re faced with something we’re told is off-limits. It’s about more than just moral consequence; it’s about the human experience of wrestling with desire and the unknown.

Expressionism: Bringing Out the Emotional Tension

Expressionism allows me to dive deep into these themes by focusing on the emotions behind the act of temptation. The fruit in my work is not depicted in a realistic way, but through bold colors, exaggerated forms, and intense textures that capture the feeling of being drawn toward the forbidden. It’s not just an object; it’s a moment in time, a vivid expression of the inner conflict that comes with breaking rules or challenging limits.

The distorted and expressive style I use helps to communicate the energy and tension that come with desire. In some pieces, the fruit appears to pulse with light or is surrounded by chaotic brushstrokes, emphasizing the turmoil within. The focus isn’t on making the fruit look real, but on making the emotions it represents feel real. It’s about the push and pull of temptation, where fear and curiosity collide.

NO Psychology: The Allure of Breaking the Rules

A key idea in my work is what I call “NO psychology,” which is the concept of being told "no" and the effect it has on us. There’s a certain allure that comes with being told something is forbidden; it makes the object or action even more desirable. This is what the forbidden fruit stands for in my art—not just the act of crossing boundaries, but the inner conflict and attraction that arise when faced with a restriction.

In the pieces I create, the forbidden fruit often represents the psychological struggle between wanting to stay within the safety of rules and feeling the pull to defy them. It’s about understanding why certain things are placed out of reach and questioning whether those boundaries are worth following. The fruit isn’t just a static symbol; it’s an active participant in this mental dialogue, representing the magnetic pull of the “off-limits.”

Beyond Punishment: The Forbidden Fruit as a Catalyst for Growth

I don’t view the forbidden fruit solely as a symbol of sin or consequence. To me, it also represents growth and transformation. When you cross a boundary, even if it’s forbidden, it changes you—it brings new understanding and new experiences. In some of my works, the fruit is depicted as already bitten or as decaying, symbolizing the passage of time and the inevitability of change once a line is crossed.

The act of reaching for the forbidden is not always about rebellion; sometimes, it’s about seeking truth or self-awareness. The fruit becomes a symbol for that moment when the fear of the unknown turns into curiosity. It’s not just about consequences but about the evolution that happens when we step outside of the lines that have been drawn for us. My art seeks to capture that shift, where temptation transforms into action and then into something entirely new.

Mythology Reimagined: Connecting Ancient Symbols to Modern Life

I often draw on mythology because these ancient stories about the forbidden resonate with contemporary themes. Whether it’s the biblical tale of Adam and Eve, the story of Prometheus bringing fire to humanity, or Pandora opening the box, these myths share a common thread of crossing boundaries and dealing with the fallout. My work doesn’t just retell these stories; it reinterprets them to speak to modern issues of freedom, authority, and the nature of desire.

By using the forbidden fruit as a recurring motif, I’m bringing these age-old symbols into a dialogue with present-day experiences. The fruit stands for the ongoing struggle to balance the urge for freedom with the need for caution, and the human tendency to seek out what lies beyond the “no.” In my art, I aim to show that these ancient symbols are still very much alive, reflecting current emotional and psychological experiences.

Challenging Boundaries Through Art

Ultimately, the use of the forbidden fruit in my art is a way to challenge the idea of boundaries. I want to make viewers question why certain things are considered forbidden and what it means to confront those limits. The fruit isn’t just an icon from an old story; it’s a way of engaging with our own thoughts about desire, temptation, and what we’re willing to risk.

In my paintings, the forbidden fruit is a catalyst for introspection. It asks the viewer to think about their own experiences with boundaries and how they respond to being told “no.” It’s not just about glorifying the act of breaking rules but about understanding the emotional and psychological forces that drive us toward what we’re not supposed to reach for. Through my art, I aim to show that sometimes, exploring the forbidden is essential for growth, change, and finding out who we really are.

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