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| The Oriental Dream |
After a week of sharing her wonderfully colourful and dynamic drawings and paintings with Caspian Arts Foundation, Alyâa Kamel speaks with us about her life as an artist and how her time in Egypt during its revolution in 2011, gave birth to her latest exhibition which is on show at the Tafkaj Gallery in Geneva. Currently working on her upcoming exhibit in Cairo, Alyâa shares her views on an artist's ability to shed light on humanity and its place in society, where otherwise it would be obscured or not fully accepted and she feels this ability to respond to the ongoing change within the region, through her work.
This is something that is setting the tone for Middle Eastern contemporary art today: pushing the boundaries and barriers that co-exist within societies, overcoming taboos and basically driving the region to its next level which is connecting to a more global stage, connecting to the West and widening our language and also our vision.
This is something that is setting the tone for Middle Eastern contemporary art today: pushing the boundaries and barriers that co-exist within societies, overcoming taboos and basically driving the region to its next level which is connecting to a more global stage, connecting to the West and widening our language and also our vision.
NM: Thank you for the interview Alyâa. After we spoke, I visited your website and watched a clip where you mentioned that you don’t paint or create your
work through any rational or logical process. What I am assuming is that you
paint from your emotion and inspirations. Is this true each time?
AK: Yes it is true. My Art is a pure emotional
process that flirts with thoughts, to give birth to a painting or a drawing.
NM: What
motivates you before you go and start a new series of works?
AK: My motivation is Life itself and how it
vibrates in me.
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| In the Metallic Mist |
AK: Yes it has happened several times. Usually
it means I have to do something else.
NM: I’m interested in your “social red carpet” works. When we spoke, you briefly
mentioned the inspiration coming from the revolution in Egypt, as you were
there when it happened. What were your impressions before putting paint onto
canvas and was it an immediate connection?
AK: Humanity at its full power that was put into the brush, and then into the colour. An unbreakable
link between all human beings
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| The Red Social Carpet (drawing) |
NM: It
really shows the connection between arts and political events taking place and
how artists truly play a role. Artists really put themselves on the line!
AK: An idea or a feeling expressed in all its
nakedness is always risky in a society that makes sure that all stays in a
fuzzy shadow. An artist transforms darkness into light. A lot of people will try to find the
switch!
NM: Do
you look at art as a tool to bring about change and the social norm, especially
in a region that is undergoing conflict and change?
AK: Art is a way to unleash inner emotions into the world. First
the beauty, second an understanding and finally the beginning of a series of
thoughts that will lead to a strong desire of change.
NM: You were studying for some time in London, how did you find living in such a creative and dynamic city?
AK: Living in London and being in an art
environment was a great opening of the mind and soul. It gave me a lesson in freedom and also in evolution.
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| Dancing Lines |
NM: Do
you have any message of hope to aspiring artists who are living in the Middle
East and who would really benefit from living abroad and align their hopes and
dreams with reality?
AK: The Middle east has a lot to learn from other
countries and other countries have a lot to learn from the Middle East! You
have the chance to bring these worlds together, bringing a wider knowledge, an
extra definition to a multicultural world that needs to move forward.
NM: It
relates to this case of artists struggling to find their voice in most parts of
the region. Do you feel a greater responsibility to your work as you live
outside and enjoy the freedom that you can use in your work?
AK: As an artist and a human being I feel
responsible.
NM: Do
you ever use any other mediums in your art?
AK: I use acrylic, watercolor, ink, sands,
crystals….
NM: Can you share with us one of your personal favourites and tell us why you love it?
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| The Mural |
NM:What
are you currently working on?
AK: I am working on several projects but
getting ready for my Exhibition in Cairo.
To visit Alyaa Kamel's website click here: site
