Our destinations are often reached by winding roads, unexpected roadblocks, and interesting detours. Taiba Qabazard is the perfect example of the unexpected and surprising journey but makes absolute sense in hindsight. She’s all the things at once; weightlifter, artist, vocal about her beliefs and values as well as being an all-round inspiring young woman.
She is an artist who is trying to create a safe place for people to be in and embrace their differences, while trying to create change in young people who are carrying societal and generational baggage and trauma. “I like to create art with meaning, art that people can relate to and maybe somewhat heal from,” Taiba explains.
She found her way into the art world when she travelled to the United States for her undergraduate degree and ended up minoring in Studio Arts. Her exposure to the art community and its diverse environment inspired her to work on recreating it locally when she came back. “Art was my way out of this world. An imaginary parallel universe where I can translate my thoughts into reality,” she says.
Taiba’s current style is interesting and despite being created using a single line without lifting the pen, shows depth, meaning and layers that hide behind its simplicity. “My style differs from time to time; I would describe it more of like a diversity of moods and feelings translated into paintings and drawings,” she explains, but she is also not limiting herself to one thing and continues, “Very recently I have been focusing on one line drawing but I have had experience with many forms of art as it is a non-stop practice throughout my life.”
As a student in the US, she took part in her first experience and found it to be exhilarating. “It was an amazing experience but my goal was to go past local exhibitions and art displaying. Art in general is gaining a lot of audiences compared to 10 years ago which is not a downside and local exhibitions now have much more depth in art appreciation which is something I’m really thankful of.”
She dabbles in everything like meditating, boxing, Olympic weightlifting, traveling, searching for crystals, and trying different artistic habits which have kept her in constant motion and always experiencing different things. And it seems to reflect on a fluidity within her art and can probably be explained by her muse, Change. “Change inspires me. As an artist, being stagnant really affects my aura, energy, and creativity; so, I try to create a space with positivity and growth.
Our daily life experiences and lessons inspire me to create pieces that might help someone who might have had the same experience. Growing up in a judgmental society never really gave a chance to anyone who was willing to be different and that itself inspires me to look at society’s rules as merely suggestions,” she elaborates.
All of her interests have another common theme; healthy body, healthy mind. “Art, working out, meditating, and enjoying nature are all part of creating a safe space for a healthy mental state,” Taiba says. She majored in chemistry and ended up teaching for a while in Kuwait, but just recently took a leap of faith to become a full-time artist. Despite how different the two fields are she explains that teaching was a useful experience. “Teaching chemistry definitely shaped me into a better instructor and understanding how each person might have different learning abilities which can also help me with my art and sending out the desired messages more clearly for everyone to understand. I love chemistry and I love teaching it, but if I must be restricted with ways of teaching chemistry then a full-time artist sounds better as I can teach it however I’d like and in the most beneficial way possible,” she explains.
Taiba holds a nuanced view of her ability to reach a wider global audience online but prefers showing art in real life because it offers viewers a more interactive approach. “It has been a catalyst for my exposure, but I always believe good art will definitely find its way within people’s lives (locally). Social media, for sure, increases exposure worldwide which is always a great thing,” Taiba explains.
She also recently created a collection of prints that featured women’s portraits in black and white with empowering colorful statements around them. She explains how that project came about, “I had an urge to send out messages of empowerment at that time, creating art in this manner was a must because I myself needed those words of empowerment. Art definitely needs to say something, but it’s not a necessity to all artists depending on their purpose for creating art. In my opinion, I think if art does not provoke feelings either of discomfort or ease, then to me I haven’t really created something memorable.” She then converted them into tote bags which wasn’t the plan, yet she says “Why not? Right? Art is meant to be fun, however that might look like.” Art is more than a visual representation, it is a voice, a tool, the medium and the message. It is a way to express and a way to evolve, and making it accessible is just one of the many ways for that to happen.
Seeing change is something that Taiba is passionate about, and she refuses to accept the status quo or get too hung up about the past. “The art scene in Kuwait is slowly but surely changing, we still have people glorifying a specific time with traditional art which is not a bad thing, but to create an ongoing culture of development in the art scene we must aim to be our authentic self and express art in different ways. I would like to change the art scene in Kuwait and appreciate every artist who tries to create art with purpose and benefit the next generations,” she explains. Her inclusive and welcoming approach makes art more relatable and accessible to a wider and diverse audience, which is something we can all agree on.
TRUTH OR DARE
How would your mother describe you in one word?
Ambitious.
How would you describe your mother in one word?
Generous.
What is the most ridiculous question you’ve ever been asked?
“Why do you have to go to the gym everyday?”
What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?
Drove to the airport, booked, and travelled to Greece with a backpack only.
What is your theme song?
Unstoppable- Sia.
What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented?
Art.
Where would you like to live?
The United States of America.
What is your dream retirement location?
Hawaii.
What is the first famous quote that comes to your mind?
“What you think, you become. What you feel, you attract. What you imagine, you create.”- Buddha
Which animal best describes your perfect partner, be it in business, or in life?
Lion.
Do you miss anything from your childhood, and if so, what is it?
The simplicity and innocence. Everything was simple during the early 90s.
If you could change your name, to what would you change it?
I would not change my name, I was named after my grandmother and that to me is irreplaceable.
How would you describe your handshake, in one word?
Hug!
What is the toughest part of your character?
I’m a very stubborn person, a workaholic, and what I want I usually work hard to get. Which might cause neglect in my social life because I’m very work oriented.
Who is your favorite historical figure?
I don’t have any.
What in the world do you least desire?
Greed.
What do you think is lacking in the world, which [if there were more of it] would make the world a better place?
We are lacking kindness, which would make this world much more bearable if we practice more of it.
Why do you think most people who do, like you?
People say I’m way too kind, that might be the reason?
Finish this sentence: “Happiness is…” “…doing what you love, and loving what you do!”
Follow @artbytaibaa on Instagram for more on her art and to stay up-to-date with her journey.
