The Narratives – Mohamed Miah

Who are your favorite artists?

When someone asks me, “Who’s your favorite artist?” my immediate reaction is, “It depends.” Art is so much more than paint on a canvas—it transcends mediums, from music to photography, from film to football. So, to give you a proper answer, let me break it down across different forms of art.

Painters A Window to Emotion

In painting, Gustav Klimt stands out for me, especially for how he captures love. There’s something timeless about The Kiss—it’s like you can feel the embrace, the connection, the vulnerability of two souls intertwined. Then there’s Banksy, whose street art is less about beauty and more about provoking thought. Each piece he creates forces you to question society and your own role within it.

When it comes to landscapes, no one captures the solitude of nature like J.M.W. Turner. His landscapes make you feel the loneliness, the isolation, and yet there’s peace within them. And finally, Edvard Munch—his paintings are pure emotion. They have this raw, soul-baring craziness that seems to speak directly to the parts of you you’d rather hide.

Music The Sound of the Human Condition

Music is perhaps the most personal form of art. Tupac Shakur is at the top of my list, not just because of his raw emotion but because his lyrics remain relevant even today. His writing is poetry in motion, capturing the struggle, the pain, the hope.

A.R. Rahman’s early work? Pure energy. Back when he was at his peak, his compositions brought a brilliance that electrified everything around him. And who can forget Michael Jackson? The man transcends every era—his music, his moves, his essence still move generations today. Akayla’s poetry, too, holds deep meaning for me, his lyrical depth unmatched. And of course, Rumi—his poetry is divine in every sense, touching both heart and soul.

Photography & Illustration Capturing Life’s Moments

Photography holds a special place in my heart. Saul Leiter’s use of color and shadow in street photography turns the mundane into art. On the opposite end, there’s Daido Moriyama, whose gritty black-and-white photos offer an unfiltered glimpse of life on the streets.

In illustration, Michael Rosen takes me straight back to childhood. His work carries nostalgia, innocence, and a gentle joy that’s hard to replicate.

Acting The Art of Transformation

Actors who can immerse themselves into characters and make you forget who they are—those are the greats. Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in their early roles? Unmatched. There’s something so raw and unpolished about their performances back then. Then there’s Denzel Washington, a legend in his own right. Whether he’s playing a hero or anti-hero, Denzel commands every scene.

Tom Hanks and Christian Bale, too—what can I say? They’re brilliant character actors who completely disappear into their roles, leaving behind only the story.

Directors The Visionaries

For directors, three names come to mind: Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino, and Christopher Nolan. Each has a style that’s unmistakably their own. Spielberg is the master of awe and wonder. Tarantino? The king of dialogue and tension. And Nolan—well, he’s just in a league of his own when it comes to bending time and space in storytelling.

Sport The Unexpected Art

And then there’s football—yes, even football has its artists. Eric Cantona, Ronaldinho, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo—these are players who create magic on the pitch. They don’t just play; they perform, and each move is like a brushstroke on a canvas, creating a masterpiece of athleticism and skill.

Art?

Art, in all its forms, is a reflection of the human condition. Whether it’s a painting that captures emotion, a song that speaks to your soul, a photograph that freezes a moment in time, or a footballer weaving through defenders—it’s all art. And it’s all worthy of admiration. So when someone asks me about my favorite artist, I always have to ask, “Which kind of art are we talking about?”