JAMMU: In a captivating dialogue with JK Monitor's (www.jkmonitor.org), Editor-in-Chief, Ajmer Alam Wani, the acclaimed artist from Kurdistan, Iraq, Shayda Hasan Ameen (She is Iraqi Kurdish) illuminates the intricate interplay between engineering roots, Mesopotamian heritage, and a commitment to sustainability.
Explore the fusion of artistry and practicality as Ameen delves into her journey, inspirations, and aspirations, offering profound insights into her vibrant world of abstract expressionism and handmade creations.
INFLUENCES OF ENGINEERING ON ART: Ameen's journey from civil engineering to abstract expressionism is a testament to the fusion of science and art. Drawing parallels between the structured world of engineering and the fluidity of abstract art, she highlights the role of shapes and colors inspired by her engineering background, infusing practicality and beauty into her creations.
MESOPOTAMIAN HERITAGE IN ART: Ameen intricately weaves elements of Mesopotamian history into her artwork, from ancient motifs to historical narratives, aiming to evoke the rich cultural tapestry of Iraq. Her paintings serve as visual narratives, depicting stories of war, love, and glory, while also fostering a deeper appreciation for Mesopotamia's legacy.
HANDMADE CANDLES AND THERAPEUTIC OFFERINGS: Beyond canvas, Ameen extends her artistic vision to handmade candles, emphasizing therapeutic qualities and natural ingredients. Through a meticulous process of crafting, she ensures both aesthetic appeal and health benefits for her customers, prioritizing sustainability and customer well-being.
PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS: With her brand, Shayda Arts, Ameen advocates for sustainability and indoor gardening, aiming to create a greener environment in Iraq. By integrating eco-friendly practices into her artwork and product offerings, she inspires customers to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle.
GROWTH THROUGH ENGAGEMENTS: Ameen's active participation in local festivals and events serves as a platform for growth and feedback. By observing customer preferences and staying true to her unique artistic style, she ensures her artworks stand out amidst diverse offerings, continuously evolving as an artist.
CHALLENGES OF GLOBAL EXPANSION: Despite aspirations for global expansion, Ameen acknowledges challenges in scaling her business, particularly in a country with limited infrastructure for electronic commerce. However, her determination to find solutions underscores her commitment to growth and accessibility.
NAVIGATING ARTISTIC EXPRESSION AND HISTORICAL ACCURACY: Balancing artistic expression with historical accuracy, Ameen meticulously researches and incorporates authentic motifs and narratives from Mesopotamian history into her paintings, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the region's heritage.
VALUE OF HANDMADE ART: In a market inundated with mass-produced goods, Ameen communicates the value of handmade art and candles by emphasizing quality, craftsmanship, and sustainability. Each piece crafted with love distinguishes Shayda Arts from larger commercial competitors, resonating with customers seeking unique, meaningful pieces.
IMPACT ON CUSTOMERS' LIVES: A memorable encounter with a customer battling illness reaffirmed Ameen's dedication to her craft. The transformative power of her art to brighten spaces and uplift spirits underscores the profound impact of handmade creations on people's lives.
FUTURE ASPIRATIONS: Looking ahead, Ameen envisions Shayda Arts as a beacon of sustainable handmade home décor, with aspirations to engage in global artistic communities and share her experiences with fellow artists worldwide.
In this insightful interview, Shayda Hasan Ameen emerges not only as an artist but also as a catalyst for change, weaving together threads of art, history, and sustainability to create a more vibrant and conscientious world.
For the detailed interview read questions and answers below till end:-
- Shayda, your journey from pursuing engineering to becoming a successful artist is quite unique. How do you believe your background in civil engineering influences your approach to art, particularly in the realm of abstract expressionism?
Ans: Engineering, for me, personally, is the art of science and mathematics. By this I mean that engineering requires some sort of artistic abilities from you, whether being an architect or even a civil engineer. Civil engineering is a practical and analytical engineering field. It is fast-paced and specific. Abstract art is the same thing.
It is fast, unique, practical, and beautiful. There’s always a story behind the abstract paintings I create, just like how you would know the story behind the construction of a building. In my paintings, I put a variety of angular shapes, like triangles, rectangles, etc. And these shapes play a huge role in civil engineering. The shades of colours I use are also inspired by civil engineering or engineering, for example, yellow, black, white, etc.
2. Mesopotamia known as present-day Iraq holds a rich cultural heritage. Could you elaborate on how you infuse elements of Mesopotamian history into your abstract art, and what significance these historical narratives hold for you personally?
Ans: First, I look at original elements and motifs from ancient Mesopotamia, such as the Ishtar Gate, the Lamassu statue, or even colours used commonly in ancient Mesopotamia. Then I decide in which element of life I want to infuse the motifs in. For example, war, love, glory, power, or even leaders that have passed the region in ancient times.
Lastly, I make strokes of paints and create movement in my paintings, so that it looks alive. Personally, through these paintings, I hope to show how the world at the time was diverse; I don’t portray Mesopotamia only, but also other important civilizations. I also want to show what Iraq is known for, which is its rich history. It also inspires people to love history and know more about their past and be proud of their heritage.
3. Your decision to delve into creating handmade candles, particularly with a focus on therapeutic qualities and natural ingredients, is intriguing. Could you discuss the process of conceptualizing and crafting these candles, and how you ensure they remain both aesthetically pleasing and beneficial for customers?
Ans: I wanted my business to be further beneficial for my customers. So I decided to make candles that are healthy for the environment and for my customers. First the molds I put my melted wax in to make the candles are sustainable. I use old juice cartons or even put them in cups. Then I don’t really put fragrances in my candles unless the customer wants it. I focus more on natural herbs and scents personally, such as dried flowers, cinnamon, star anise, or cardamoms, which are scents people love. Then I place the flowers and any other decoration on the candle in a way that looks both beautiful and secure. I also make sure to be aware of allergic people’s health, so that’s the reason why I don’t use much fragrance, because my customers’ needs and health are a priority.
4. Shayda Arts seems to have a strong emphasis on promoting sustainability and environmental awareness, particularly with your advocacy for indoor gardening and cleaner air. How do you integrate these themes into your artwork and product offerings, and what steps do you take to encourage your customers to embrace eco-friendly practices?
Ans: I got this idea later on in my business, I realised not only are the customers’ health important, but also their environment. Iraq is a dry country and its summers are very hot. Plants moisturize the environment and they cool down homes and provide shade, so to promote more people to love plants and raise them at home, I planned to make them look more interesting. Then I realised to motivate people I need to focus on the plant pots. I bring basic and simple plant pots with no design and I paint on them, using abstract art, to make an eye-catching product. Through this, any age group would love to keep a plant and would get inspired to improve the Iraqi environment.
5. Your participation in local festivals and events is commendable. How do these engagements contribute to your growth as an artist, and what strategies do you employ to ensure your artworks stand out amidst a diverse array of offerings?
Ans:Through these events, I get to see what the people like. If they like the paintings, I make similar ones, or if they like the candles, I make more candles. I also see what the participants around me are selling, and I don’t copy their ideas but in fact create something unique that people don’t see everywhere but only in my website or the events I participate in. When my customers are happy with a product, this motivates to create more pieces. If I face criticism, I just see this as a sign of improvement and I create art suitable for many tastes and styles of people. For my art to stand out, colour is my main element. I use eye-catching colours that are not too uncomfortable to the customers’ eyes. I also tell customers that my items are sustainable, which is quite rare in the marketplace.
6. As you aspire to expand globally, what challenges do you anticipate in terms of scaling your business while maintaining the integrity and authenticity of your handmade products?
Ans: The only challenge is the monetary gains. Iraq is not yet advanced in terms of electronic income and shipping and receiving. Since it’s a country constantly at war, it does not focus entirely in this matter, so that is the only challenge. However, I am still able to find a solution for it.
7. Your paintings often depict historic events, which can sometimes be complex or contentious topics. How do you navigate the balance between artistic expression and historical accuracy, especially when portraying events from Mesopotamian history?
Ans: Historical accuracy is very important for me, because it is not a field to be biased in or to provide opinions in. So I bring motifs that many people can agree originates from a certain civilization. For example, the Ishtar gate is an obvious artefact from Iraq. I also use titles that depict the overall aesthetic of the painting. For example, I created a painting with brown and gold and shades of yellow and green known as Sumerian Tablets. This literally means that the painting is referring to the Sumerian version, not the other civilization’s clay tablets.
8. In a market saturated with mass-produced goods, how do you communicate the value of handmade art and candles to potential customers, and what sets Shayda Arts apart from larger commercial competitors?
Ans: Many customers want quality products in their home that are to be trusted, for example they wouldn’t want candles with harmful chemicals. I inform the customers that every art product I have is handmade and that I put natural and sustainable products in it that people can trust. What sets my brand different from commercial competitors is the time I put in the products. Commercial competitors might just create hundreds of the same product through factories; however I make everything with love. I put my time and effort in each piece and I put ingredients that people know is safe for them and for their environment.
9. Could you share a particularly memorable experience or feedback from a customer that reaffirmed your dedication to your craft and the impact it has on people's lives?
Ans: Once, a woman bought many of my products and really appreciated them at a fair, even though she was really sick. Although she was sick, it really cheered her up. Even after that she contacted me and said that she needed another painting and that the paintings she bought from me made her home environment more alive and cheerful, and she really acknowledged the hard work I put in the products.
10. Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for Shayda Arts in the next five years, and how do you envision your role as an artist evolving within the global artistic community?
Ans: In the next five years, I envision myself creating a company focused on sustainable handmade home décor. I hope to enter artist conferences and share my experience with other artists and people globally.