“I know that my drawings will not turn back the clock, or deliver Syria from its tyrants.” That’s how Syrian artist Jawad (whose full name is not disclosed for security reasons) starts our interview. Nevertheless, he draws as a way of relieving his heart and putting his talent at the service of his country.

Before the revolution, colors, drawing and design were to Jawad a mere hobby that never seemed to materialize. Jawad, who has never had professional training, learned his craft from reading and watching other artists. His pieces included pencil and charcoal drawings, acrylic paintings, caricature, calligraphy and even digital art.

Jawad started concentrating on his art a few months after the revolution erupted in March 2011. He used a pseudonym for his work for a while until he decided to start signing his work with his real name. His works convey “social, humanist and political ideas through art.” But they also translate feelings and passions that could not be expressed through any other medium.

Like many of his generation, Jawad had had to leave his hometown of Aleppo recently. But since the very beginning of his involvement he has tried to portray the revolution as honestly as he could “regardless of its fate, and its path.” In his attempts he wants to break the ancient shell of fear and artistic monotonicity. His weapon in this struggle is his talent. A talent that he considers “a gift from the revolution that awoken my artistic conscience and creativity in a way I never imagined possible.”

Jawad recalls that the worst moment of his life was when the bullets started flying in 2011. Because he realized then that an earthquake would soon befell his country. Although, he is reluctant to say whether his art will have any concrete impact on the revolution, he says he’d be happy with a passing glance from his fellow citizens, in a country where death and bullets are the loudest.

You can find out more about Jawad through his Facebook page.