In December 2023, Syrian artist Juhayda Bitar embarked on a transformative journey to Brazil, thanks to an art residency opportunity facilitated by SAFIR’s ambassador Lina Attar Ajami through ambassador Claudia Barenco Abba.
With a Master’s degree in Painting from the Faculty of Fine Arts in Damascus, Bitar’s artistic approach is deeply influenced by her close observation of nature and her connection with the movements of waves and the patterns of clouds.
Upon arriving in São Sebastião, São Paulo, for a 45-day residency at Kaaysá Art Residency, Bitar was immediately captivated by the unique Brazilian landscape. “What I saw when I arrived in São Sebastião wasn’t just a sea, it was the ocean,” she remarked. The vibrant hues of the Brazilian sunset, with its poetic blend of orange, yellow, and golden shades, along with the lush green of the forest, inspired a new palette in her artwork.
Bitar’s time in Brazil was enriched by the lively samba music and the warm-hearted people she encountered. These experiences influenced her use of vivid colors and spontaneous yet delicate brush strokes, which translate her memories and emotions onto the canvas. Her work, characterized by abstraction, serves as an emotional outlet, decoding mixed feelings of nostalgia, hope, and a deep connection with nature.
Hosted by Kaaysá Art Residency, Bitar was supported by a scholarship from a project led by businesswoman Luiza Helena Trajano. The residency, located in an old bed and breakfast by the forest facing the ocean, provided a nurturing environment for artists from around the world. Bitar’s application was supported by the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC), with the help of SAFIR’s ambassador Lina Attar Ajami and Brazilian ambassador Claudia Barenco Abba.
During her residency, Bitar had the opportunity to immerse herself in the cultural life of São Paulo, visiting the São Paulo Museum of Art (Masp) and attending a play at Teatro Oficina. Working with various materials like acrylic and watercolor paint, she captured the essence of Brazil’s beauty and its influence on her art.
Reflecting on her experience, Bitar said, “Every place has its beauty, whether we are talking about cities, deserts, or forests. People have both tragedy and comedy inside themselves… Nature is like each one of us – it has several feelings. All this influences.”
Juhayda Bitar’s journey to Brazil not only expanded her artistic horizons but also highlighted the power of cultural exchange and the universal language of art.