Category: Events

2023 Artist Residency in Europe – Noor Bahjat Al Masri

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Brushstrokes Across Borders: Noor Bahjat Al Masri’s Artistic Voyage in Europe

SAFIR connected Dubai resident, Syrian Artist Noor Bajhat with Artist Marina Fedorova, who invited her to spend a summer in both Munich, Germany and Paris, France – supported by Sputnik Partners. Both artists collaborated on a project for a fine German stationary brand named Prantl creating bespoke unique illustrated cards. During her residency, Noor was exposed to the German and French Art scene where she produced a body of exquisite works on paper.

Noor Bahjat & Marina Fedorova

Noor Bahjat Al Masri, embarked on a transformative artistic journey across Europe, leaving a lasting mark on her creative perspective and practice. Her journey, supported by Sputnik Partners, unfolded as a symphony of cultural immersion and collaboration, enriching her artistry with newfound inspirations and techniques. 

As she adjusted to a different rhythm – navigating time, transport, and the nuanced art of catching the sun’s fleeting rays – Noor was also immersing herself in the continent’s rich art scene and visited a myriad of galleries and museums, each leaving a lasting impression. From Kunst Hall Munich and Pinakothek der Moderne in Germany to St. Peter Church and Leopold Museum in Vienna, her artistic senses were ignited by the diverse tapestry of creative contemporary art. The gothic architecture, rich details, and the vibrant artworks in European churches, museums, and galleries became a brushstroke, shaping her artistic perspective and leaving an enduring impression that would echo in her creations. 

Noor Bahjat with Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi in Berlin

In reflecting on the collaboration with Prantl, Noor Bahjat Al Masri expresses immense satisfaction with the partnership, emphasizing their superlative professionalism and flexibility. The collaboration afforded her complete freedom in selecting the artworks for printing on the cards, resulting in an amazing fusion of colors with impeccable timing. Noor chose four distinct paintings from her “Love Series,” each card serving as a unique visual narrative. One card depicts a bride and groom, honoring the profound bond of matrimony. Another portrays two lovers adorned with tattoos, symbolizing life’s difficulties as they hold each other’s hands against a serene pink background. A tender scene unfolds in the third card, featuring a mother bowing towards her baby with utmost care. The fourth card depicts two figures of the same gender kissing, embracing diversity in love. The final design, a birthday card, intricately blends a feminine portrait with a skull surrounded by plants, conveying the poignant message that life has both beauty and inevitable endings. Noor’s collaboration with Prantl not only showcased her artistic prowess but also conveyed powerful messages, encouraging herself and others to live for what truly matters.

In the realm of technique, Noor’s encounters with different artists and studios brought forth a plethora of knowledge. From composition planning with Marina to diverse canvas surfaces with Tammam Azzam, these lessons promise to elevate Noor’s future work to unprecedented levels. Unexpected discoveries unfolded in the intricate details of European life, inspiring Noor through Gothic architecture, rich lifestyle nuances, and the subtle differences between Syrian and German contemporary art.

Noor Bahjat visiting Syrian artist Tammam Azzam in Berlin

Sputnik Partners played a pivotal role, not just in sustaining her stay but also in introducing her to Parisian art platforms and facilitating connections with European artists and galleries. The experience, while testing her patience in the European art market, offered insights into the importance of free expression and continual artistic evolution.

As Noor prepares to return to Syria, the differences and similarities between the art scenes in Syria and Europe linger in her thoughts. She envisions sharing her experiences, bridging gaps, and infusing the Syrian art community with the wealth of knowledge she gathered on her European artistic expedition. Noor Bahjat Al Masri’s journey transcends borders, weaving a narrative of cultural exchange, collaboration, and personal growth. As her art continues to evolve, the echoes of Europe’s influence resonate through each brushstroke—a testament to the transformative power of artistic exploration across continents.

This article is written by Noor Mounajjed based on input provided by Noor Bahjat about her time spent with Artist Marina Fedorova.

2024 SAFIR Supporting Artist’s Exhibition in South Korea – Dana Alnafouri

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A Symphony of Lines and Nature

In the realm of contemporary art, Dana Alnafouri stands out as a beacon of innovation and introspection. A Syrian artist and researcher, Alnafouri’s work is a testament to her profound engagement with the world around her, seeking to understand it through artistic evidence and to reflect her cultural identity through historical visual representations.

Her art is not merely a practice but an adventurous interaction with colors, paper lines, and other elements, all converging in a joyful, minimalistic expression. Alnafouri’s fascination with nature’s beauty and scientific logic, coupled with the informative power of visual communication, fuels her inspiration. Whether it’s the surface of a canvas, the vicinity of a lab, or the classroom where she imparts knowledge, her creative processes unfold across various mediums, shaping a multidisciplinary career marked by an eagerness for knowledge, openness to communication, and a love for experimentation.

Dana recently completed her solo exhibition at the CICA Museum in South Korea. Titled “Tsukuba Crystallized Déjà Vu,” her collection invites viewers into a world where paper voids come alive with spontaneous strokes, infusing warmth into the cool stillness. The dance of memory and perception captures fleeting and eternal moments, transcending explicit boundaries. Colors blend, lines intersect, and dialogues resonate through the spaces between artworks, weaving a continuous narrative that envelops the viewer. In this gallery, nature’s rhythms intertwine with personal histories, reflecting the profound imprint on our psyche. Shadows and light play across surfaces, inviting deeper exploration. Dana’s artistic expression forms a mosaic that encourages us to see not only with our eyes but also with our souls – the profound stories whispered by the medium itself.

The concept of the exhibition layout of Dana’s artworks emphasize simplicity and direct engagement. The artworks are presented unframed on paper, which is practical and affordable. This approach highlights the raw beauty of the art and allows viewers to connect directly with the artist’s vision. By exhibiting in this straightforward manner, the focus is on the art itself, encouraging the audience to engage with it as an activity. This method ensures that the artwork remains accessible and authentic, fostering a more intimate and meaningful experience.

As she pursues her Ph.D. in Humanity and Social Sciences, with a focus on prehistory and archaeology, Alnafouri continues to intertwine her academic pursuits with her artistic endeavors. Her aspiration is for her art to resonate with viewers, evoking the joy and connectedness she experiences during its creation, and inviting them on a journey filled with discovery, emotion, and appreciation for the natural world’s beauty.

Dana Alnafouri’s work is more than just visual art; it’s a dialogue with time, nature, and the self, inviting us all to listen closely and join in the symphony of life’s rhythms. We invite our followers to stay tuned for this extraordinary exhibition, where we can all attune ourselves to the symphony of life’s cadences.

2018 SAFIR Officially Launches in Dubai

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Dubai, U.A.E. ART DUBAI 2018 – Saturday March 24th marked an important milestone for SAFIR as we launched our NGO for the first time in Dubai. At the event, which took place as a part of Art Dubai Modern’s Misk Lounge in Madinat Jumeirah, we hosted people of interest as well as collectors and art market influencers to have a talk about SAFIR and its aims. One of our co-founders, Hala Khayat, took the time to thoroughly explain to the audience exactly what SAFIR was founded for. She later introduced the artists and ambassadors that have become a part of the SAFIR program so far.

 

 

SAFIR Artists, Noor Bahjat, Alaa Sharabi and Juhayda Al BItar – all of whom currently reside in the U.A.E. – went on stage to address the audience regarding their work and how SAFIR has helped them move forward in their artistic careers.  They each explained their preferred techniques and how they have evolved since joining the SAFIR family.

Alongside the introduction of the artists, Khayat presented the newly established SAFIR Ambassadors’ Program. Two of SAFIR’s ambassador’s, Jouhayna Samawi and Lina Attar, were in attendance of the event and explained their upcoming plans for to support SAFIR’s capacity building and networking objectives in 2018.

 

 

 

 

SAFIR Ambassador Mrs. Lina Attar

 

The first project, led by Beirut based Ambassador, Mrs. Lina Attar, is revolves around enrolment enrolling SAFIR artists in English language classes in Beirut, and following up with them weekly. Attar went on stage to share her experience thus far. The second project, led by Dubai based Mrs. Jouhayna Samawi, will be an event hosted in the aims of growing our network, enhancing outreach and more thoroughly introduce our purpose and goals in the fall of 2018.

 

 

 

SAFIR Cofounder, Hala Khayat, paying tribute to the late Fathallah Zamroud

At the end of the presentation, Khayat dedicated the talk to our late founder Fathallah Zamroud and paid tribute to his legacy. She then addressed the audience on different ways they could support SAFIR by either donating to the cause or dedicating their time to enhance the artists’ experiences.

 

 

 

 

 

Watch the full launch on the video below: