We’ve always been massive fans of The Promenade Culture Centre. Since its inception, this special hub has been a safe haven for artists, entrepreneurs, and social activists alike. We always feel welcome at PCC, and the center’s collaborative spirit continues to persevere despite the challenges brought on by the current pandemic. This is why it came as no surprise to us to learn that the good folks at PCC have initiated a special Murals Residency Program to secure a safe space for artists to fully express themselves. For three dynamic female artists based in their hometown of Kuwait, PCC’s Murals Residency Program has been an incredibly enriching experience.
Tackling the theme of ‘socializing’ through their murals are Noor Ebrahim, Yuser Al Mutawa and Danah Al Mukaimi—three talented local female artists from Kuwait, each with their own story to tell. Noor Ebrahim has a background in architecture and art. She enjoys constructing vivid abstract worlds for people to get lost in, and possibly find meaning. For Yuser al Mutawa, art is a highly personal reflection of herself. She is constantly exploring the inner mechanism of her creative consciousness. Danah Al Mukaimi sees something remarkable in everything, yet she hopes to create art that is timelessly cherished. And while this isn’t their first time venturing into the world of mural art, each artist enjoys their unique artistic style and vision. Noor already has already completed a few murals around Kuwait, Yuser loves the challenge presented by a mural’s development and the precision and patience the process requires, and Danah continues to learn to enjoy the process with every mural she takes on, with the PCC Residency Progam arriving as her fourth mural project.
Taking on the very definition of socializing in the midst of a raging pandemic is surely interesting, as the artists are free to interpret this concept both literally and figuratively. From attending zoom weddings to extended FaceTime sessions with friends and family near and far, many people have been fortunate enough to safely shelter in place during this pandemic. We’ve learned from lockdowns and curfews the true meaning of staying together while being apart through utilizing technology and maintaining physical distancing practices. In doing so, the very definition of socializing has changed, and it is continuously evolving.
The idea to have murals came rather naturally as The Promenade is home to Promenade Culture Centre. Murals have been depicted since the dawn of time and made especially popular during the Mexican muralism movement spearheaded by artist Diego Rivera. Murals represent complex art, as these large paintings have to work harmoniously with the architectural elements in their surroundings. The center was excited by the idea of how murals seamlessly bring art into a public sphere, as large spaces benefit from murals.PCC’s Murals Residency Program arrives as an excellent opportunity for artists to work outside their usual environments. Noor, Yuser and Danah have been exposed to new concepts, and they are energized by an entirely new perspective when it comes to their artistic research. They are dedicated to the idea of artistic growth. Their background and stories might differ, but they are all united in a common idea – to leave something behind, a trace, a legacy perhaps, to have their art speak for itself.
We were fortunate enough to interview these talented young female artists to share their perspectives on the PCC’s chosen theme, their artistic processes, and their experience in bringing their vision to life.
Please introduce yourself to our readers.
Noor: Hello, my name is Noor Ebrahim and I like to paint on walls sometimes. I have a background in architecture and I am currently the art club mentor at AUM.
Yuser: I am Yuser, I like to call myself a creative and an artist as I like to experiment and explore different mediums and art materials. I started painting since I was 13-years-old. I
have worked as an apparel and accessories customization artist for the last three years known as Mangoush (Instagram) where I started the unyielding obligation to myself to explore the inner mechanism of my creative process. I use acrylic as my main medium but I also like to experiment with other media such as gold leaf, watercolors, and pastels. From small sketches to large-scale projects, my art is a highly personal reflection of myself. I’ve been lucky enough to have participated in many collaborative projects, as well as exhibiting in a solo capacity, which is solidifying my reputation in the art world.
Danah: Danah Al Mukaimi, creator and a lifelong visual arts admirer.
How would you describe your artistic style?
Noor: Strange but familiar worlds. Life in different colors.
Yuser: I would describe it as colorful, cheerful and eccentric.
Danah: Versatile, playful, developing.
What are your preferred mediums to portray your work?
Noor: Copics when planning the design and then hope to start acrylics on a wall. I like taking my time with a brush rather than spray paint.
Yuser: I prefer to use acrylic with my paintings but I’m currently experimenting with mixed media pieces.
Danah: Acrylic and digital are my favorite to experiment with right now, and I have recently added murals to the list.
Please tell us your thoughts on the PCC’s chosen theme, socializing, and how you wished to convey this via your visualized mural.
Noor: It was fun to work with a theme rather than have it originate from the site. I think the mural is a great way to leave something in memory of a difficult time that we are learning to adapt to.
Yuser: I really liked the chosen theme selected by PCC as we all can relate to it, especially during these tough times. The essence of my mural is an interpretation of the socializing dilemma during the COVID-19 pandemic which I wanted to translate through gifting to express our love and care toward others. The golden rope expresses the deep connection between people and their loved ones. With each separated hand, I wanted to emphasize the phenomena of social responsibility with social distancing. The yellow tulips are exaggerated to convey the undeniable human expression during the tough times we went through: Hope.
Danah: The theme was a big selling point for me. I wanted to convey the awareness of the self as a fundamental element in socializing.
What would you like the viewer to take away from your work?
Noor: Hard moments can be masked with pretty colors to make it all a little easier.
Yuser: That being connected is important, and socializing can always be translated through the act of gifting others.
Danah: Anything they need, really.
Finally, how has your experience been in terms of creating art with the PCC?
Noor: Amazing; scheduling was great, the team provided the necessary hardware and ensured securing the adjacent surfaces properly to complete the work. They were open to the artist’s interpretation, rather than imposing themes and visual identity.
Yuser: It was a lovely experience. I really appreciate PCC giving us this opportunity as artists to showcase our skills and connect to the general audience through art.
Danah: It was a very pleasant experience. The team was wonderful to work with and the interaction with Promenade goers, especially the kids, was the highlight of it all.
Through this special Murals Residency Program, PCC continues its mission of becoming a destination that is reflective of vibrant, enriching experiences for visitors and cultural customers. You can visit The Promenade today to experience the artists’ displayed murals and interact with the artists to learn more about their work, as PCC plans to host either workshops or talks with each artist that will be open to the public. Keep an eye out for these updates on their socials!
For more information about The Promenade Culture Centre, please follow @PCCKuwait on Instagram, email pcc@thepromenadekw.com or call 9559 5123.
