Imagine a sunny Sunday afternoon. You’ve just had some coffee and cake. You’ve wandered between old tenements and churches and checked out charity shop windows. Now you are at the Queen’s Park Arena, listening to a local jazz band. The sound travels easily through the park. You are surrounded by your neighbours from all around the world, all of you brought together by the power of nature and music.
Omar Imidak is an illustrator based in Glasgow. His work brings together printmaking and illustration.
Imagine a sunny Sunday afternoon. You’ve just had some coffee and cake. You’ve wandered between old tenements and churches and checked out charity shop windows. Now you are at the Queen’s Park Arena, listening to a local jazz band. The sound travels easily through the park. You are surrounded by your neighbours from all around the world, all of you brought together by the power of nature and music.
Omar Imidak is an illustrator based in Glasgow. His work brings together printmaking and illustration.
Omar Imidak
Zine 17 - Music Makers
How would you describe your profession?
I work as a freelance illustrator under the alias Imidak Art. I am also studying BA Design Practice.
What’s your country of origin, and when did you come to Scotland?
I come from the Canary Islands, and have been living in Glasgow since 2015.
How did you end up in Scotland?
I originally came here to study Immunology at the University of Glasgow, and after finishing… I just stayed.
As an artist, what medium and formats do you use?
I use lino print, marker drawing, and digital illustration. In general, I tend to choose media that allow me to work in bold shapes and marks, without worrying much about details or realism.
Has your experience of migration influenced your art?
Definitely, though not always consciously. I often realise that my style is reminiscent of the art I grew up seeing, such as traditional Canarian art or the cartoons and comic strips we had at home. Many things here catch my eye that native Scots wouldn’t maybe consider particularly special, such as the landscapes, architecture, or even just the skies.
What is your zine poster artwork about? What medium did you use and why?
My poster is from a set of illustrations about Govanhill, its community, and its social life. I wanted to convey how colourful, vibrant, and diverse Govanhill is. This is why I decided to create a digital cartoon-style illustration. This medium allows me to be more playful with colour and shape, and create a visual summary of Govanhill while keeping the image clear and readable.