I am a Syrian visual artist. I graduated in 2012, full of enthusiasm to own a small atelier in the Old City of Damascus. I did not have the chance to realize that, in one way or another, so the only other option lying before me was Beirut. The Beirut of Jubran and Darwich and Akl. So I arrived here, ready to welcome myself in it. Beirut did not disappoint me, it leniently welcomed me along with my feminism for art; my studies of the female and her elements, her relationship with the partner and the relation between the two sexes for four years have not quenched my obsession yet.
Inarguably, this society’s blend and relations more than inspire me, and they add to the subject of my artwork. The weather of this city has also been a catalyst for developing my artist tactics; my colors are enamored with the sea, and forms captivated by the Beirut sky.
It was not hard for my artwork to be presented in this city, nor for it to be accepted and surrounded as a project that is both impressive and influenced by its society; the Lebanese girl had a share of my lines and formations. This has all met up and shaped my solo exhibition that not only was deservedly inspired by this place’s tone, but also echoed it and the relationship of its members with it.
Some might think that I am one of the many artists who have occupied themselves with the subject of war and destruction that have exhausted my homeland. In fact, however, I am still working on the subject of relationships and their contents as I believe that bringing them to life and placing them under the spotlight, either to venerate them or to criticize their compatibility with the place and the existence, might help us avoid many of the wars and conflicts and escape the destruction to build and bring to life a genuine coherent product originating in partnership and existence without any conflicts or rivalry. Add to that, I preferred leaving the subject of war to my fellow artists who would highlight it their own way, without emulating them. This is also out of fear of depreciating it; neither my country nor its people and their sufferings are a subject of consumption or profiteering.
…Beirut today is my fountain and that of most of whom have preceded me to it.
