Fatina Alsayed is an art curator who has been a champion of visual art in the Middle East since 1999; she enjoys nothing more than showcasing the works of emerging artists to give them a voice. One artist whom Fatina has been curating exhibitions for many years now is Sara Shamma, who recently held an exhibition at the Kuwait Contemporary Art Platform (CAP) in Kuwait.
Fatina has curated four exhibitions for Sara, and each exhibition celebrates their journeys together as artist and curator of the art. The exhibition featured Sara’s latest body of work titled “Age”, which focuses on the universal experience shared by all. Her art does not seek to highlight the ugliness or tragedy of aging but to emphasize its beauty and poignancy with honesty and palpable tenderness.
In the past, Sara has produced pieces that speak to the ugliness of truth or the ills of human behavior, such as war, modern-day slavery, death, and childbirth. This work speaks to how even with age, the perception of time changes; younger people feel that they have all the time they want while wanting everything to happen fast. In contrast, older people think they have limited time yet seem to approach life unhurriedly.
“As a curator, Sara’s work was a new and exciting turn for me, challenging me in the creative production of her exhibit. I have seen Sara’s evolution and involvement throughout the years, tackling humanity and the social causes I stand for. In 2004, for the first time, I represented Sara in Kuwait with her journey of dervishes. In time I witnessed how her subject matter delved more profoundly, and her strokes grew bolder. I am very proud of her achievements and the recognition that she has received in the Middle East and internationally,” Fatina explains about Sara’s recent work.
Fatina absolutely loves what she does, and when she is putting together an exhibition, she lives and breathes the artist’s journey as if she has gone through it with them. She pays attention to every detail; the ambiance and venue pay homage to the art and the music and lighting match the exhibit’s emotion. Nothing is left to chance, and she, in her own way, is also an artist; while an artist paints a picture, she paints her vision into an exhibition.
Organizing a show is a big deal for Fatina. She shares, “When organizing an exhibition, I feel like I am giving birth; it is like giving life to an artist’s vision and dreams. I give all of myself, all of my heart and soul.”
The exhibition held at CAP was put together with such care and love, but also a production that wowed and through which you could live and breathe the fantasy; it brought Sara’s exceptional work to life! Artists love working with Fatina because they know she will do justice to their work and make the best choices, making the venue come alive to tell the story of their art.
Fatina’s curation of Sara’s body of work over time has shown how her art has evolved. Sara always knew she wanted to be an artist, and she continually approached a blank canvas with no planning or notions about what she would like to produce. She puts on her music and loses herself in meditation and relaxation; inspiration usually strikes from there. Many of Sara’s art features faces and hands; she has always been drawn to gestures and expressions. She believes “one human being stands for humanity as a whole, actually for the whole universe.”
At the age of 14, Sara decided that she would be an artist. She had started painting at a young age, and her parents honed her talent by encouraging her to continue painting and enrolling her in art classes. Sara considers being an artist as just being her; she cannot imagine herself in any other activity. She tells us that “art is the outcome of a state of being that the deliberations of mind cannot define. Art is timeless.
We asked Sara how her art had transformed over her lifetime. She responded by explaining, “my art is an adventure because I don’t ever know the result because it is always full of surprises. I am stimulated by the love of exploration; that is why every moment of life uniquely impacts my art.”
In addition to working with Sara, Fatina has collaborated with other exceptional artists such as Safwan Dahoul, Jaber Alwan, and Kevork Mourad. In her mission to give these artists a voice, she has curated many solo and collective fine art and design exhibits in Kuwait and across the region. What is impressive to experience are the productions that truly convey Fatina’s love and respect for the arts with her commitment to the continuity of the Middle Eastern art scene represented both locally and internationally.
We are keen to see where Fatina and Sara’s journey into the world of art takes them! Seek out Sara on Instagram @sara.shamma.artist to see how her art develops over time and learn about other emerging artists Fatina is working with @fatina.alsayed.
