I am really thrilled to introduce you to a very special guest artist. Zeina Saket is an artist and art curator, living and working in Jordan. She was born in 1985, graduated with a B.A. in Visual Arts from The Faculty of Fine Arts in Jordan University in 2006. She worked as a Teacher Assistant of Islamic Art History, Contemporary Art, History & Theory of Art at the Jordan University. She also worked as the Art Manager and Curator at the Children’s Museum Jordan for five years. Zeina is inspired by the beauty of Islamic Art, calligraphy and contemporary abstract painting. She reflects multi-layers of mixed media and virtual images creating images that hide behind images. Through her paintings, videos and installations, Zeina reflects metaphysical and mystical inspirations into art form, taking the viewer into personal journeys of self-discovery and mysticism. Zeina joined several local group exhibitions presenting art installation pieces and video art pieces. She was also the curator for three art exhibitions including installation pieces and video screenings at The Children’s Museum Jordan. Illuminated Verses: “Contemplations with Hafiz” was the artist’s first solo exhibition in 2016.
Hi Zeina can you tell us what made you start painting?
I can’t remember myself through my early childhood years not drawing. Whether it was doodling as I daydream or purposeful art making, where I would create art and hang it around the house. I believe art making is natural – a part of who I am.
What inspires your creative process?
I am inspired by the beauty of Islamic Art, calligraphy and contemporary abstract painting. Playfully reflecting multi-layers of mixed media, as well as creating images that hide behind other images.
I notice you use mirrors in your work? What does that symbolize for you?
In my most recent work, I have been inspired by the concept of reflection, manifestation, change and revelation.
Painting on mirrors manifests layers of reflections, transparencies, vagueness and even clarity. I have also been contemplating on the Arabic word “Qalb: Heart” “قلب , which is a simile of the mirror as a medium.
On mirrors, the medium and the meaning merge. Using the word “Qalb” to invert, turn and change through layers of hidden abstract brushstrokes. The beauty of concealment and revealing is reflected in those pieces. Giving the viewer an interactive experience of one’s own reflection in each piece.
As Hafiz Al Shirazi, the Sufi poet, explains in this verse;
“My heart Is the mirror of the Divine Majesty Concealed with dust.”
What is it about your subject matter that appeals to you?
My art dances around metaphysical and mystical Sufi inspirations, transformed through personal journeys of self-discovery into art form. It is an authentic reflection and extension of my essence and presence in this life.
I notice your work includes a lot of blue? What informs your colour palette in general?
I believe my colour choices come naturally and unintentionally. Perhaps those blue and cold tones please my eye and soul as I create and help me express my story at this moment.
What are your 3 most important art supplies?
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Acrylic paint
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Metal leaf (gold, copper or silver)
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Playful and interactive layering mediums (mirror, Plexiglas, fabric etc.)
This month’s blog post is about the importance of creating an art management inventory system to keep track of your artworks. What are your thoughts on keeping track of your paintings?
I believe it is very important to have an art management inventory system. I feel most artists have their heads in the clouds, as artists are more of dreamers. Having said that, I believe many artists find it difficult to manage their art inventory.
What system do you use to document your paintings?
There is no specific system that I use to document my paintings. Most of my pieces are photographed and saved on my laptop. And some are managed by an art gallery.
Any advice for people who would like to begin painting but are put off by the belief that they are not ‘creative’?
Be a child! Just start as a little child would hold a crayon and start scribbling. Be playful and experiment.
I worked with children for 5 years, and as I was the Art Director at The Children’s Museum Jordan. I learned a lot from children. As a beginner I would advise you to free your spirit and bring out the child within you. Observe little things around you as children would, live the moment and simply be playful and genuine with art making. Children make the best artists, there is no ego involved in their art making. They don’t have many expectations or judgement, for them it is simply about “being”, diving into their little world and living the moment. This process in my opinion is the door to “creativity”.
Anything else that you would like to add?
I believe art and beauty is an innate language embedded in the human spirit.
What is your greatest frustration when it comes to the creative process?
Being stuck in what I would call “technical difficulties”. As I always tend to challenge myself in using unfamiliar mediums, I sometimes need to stop my creative flow, ground myself and experiment in technical details. Like using different chemicals in mirror etching, technical glitches when using video art in previous pieces, or even layering and gluing techniques in other pieces.
Describe your ideal creative day in your studio?
As I am a night owl, my ideal creative night starts with being alone and in solitude. A mug of herbal tea close by. Music in the background. Work surfaces with several art pieces around me as I move from one piece to another.
Find out more about Zeina.
