watercolor sketchbook } the twenty
Posted on October 29, 2014 Leave a Comment
the twenty
Listen to Army Dreamers by Kate Bush.
secretary } opening night photos by mohammed alkandari
Posted on October 27, 2014 1 Comment
Listen to Amazed by Poe
Finally my brother Mohammed’s long-awaited photos from Secretary opening night. I love that he shoots in black and white, and when he shoots in color it’s always so vibrant. I can’t thank him enough for always being so supportive. Big hug. Read More
to be a secretary
Posted on October 26, 2014 Leave a Comment
i can play with these forever
When I was little, I used to love it when, in Egyptian movies, the heroine would receive a letter. I would scurry in my seat in anticipation of what would happen next. First she’d tear the envelope open, with passion, then she’d unfold the letter, with passion (the crinkle oh my GOD), and lastly she’d read the letter with passion. Sometimes she’d even rip or crumble up the letter. With passion. Her manicured hands, her glossy lips, her teary eyes. They all went so well with the things she did with her letter.
So in keeping with the spirit of both vintage movies and Secretary, I thought: why not prompt visitors to write their own letters? This piece, entitled write.fold.enclose.lick.stack was a last minute addition to the exhibition. It consisted of three notepads, three stacks of envelopes and two pens. Guests were invited to do what the title suggested. And I’m glad to say that because many paid attention and obliged, I’m one happy bunny right now, surrounded by all these letters. And because of that, I would hire each and every one of them as my personal secretary. Read More
an amazing day, but a future imperfect
Posted on October 24, 2014 2 Comments
my main computer is at the gallery until sunday so i have to make do with what i got. i’ll be scanning these properly once i get my mac back
secretary } opening night photos by jenny casanova
Posted on October 24, 2014 Leave a Comment
Listen to Woe Be Gone by Ani DiFranco, off the Sombreve playlist:
Apart from having the coolest name ever, Jenny Casanova took some really lively photos at the opening of Secretary. She was the lady with the red-cased mini-iPad standing in the corners taking candid shots.Thank you, Jenny, for sharing these with me.
Read Moresecretary } opening night photos by reem algharabali
Posted on October 22, 2014 Leave a Comment
Listen to Aventine by Agnes Obel, off the Sombreve playlist:
Last night has finally come and sadly gone. I had been anticipating it since May, and for the last six months I have been working obsessively, compulsively, tirelessly to reach Secretary status. It was torturous creating drawings I was excited about without posting on either Instagram or here. It was important to keep my project under wraps because I wanted there to be an element of surprise. Simultaneously, I was working on ‘red herring’ drawings and paintings to throw people off the scent. It was exhausting. And now it’s time to share. Finally!
As with all my previous exhibitions, there are two or three photographers who stand out. These are people who are dear and close to my heart and who thoughtfully capture the spirit of my shows through their perspectives. In this post I’ll share with you Reem Algharabali’s photos. For those of you who could not attend last night’s opening of Secretary, I hope this post gives you some insight.
Thank you, Reem. Not only for the pictures, but for being a familiar face in the crowd.
Tomorrow is the last day of Secretary. I do hope that those of you who are in Kuwait and haven’t yet seen the show come. I will be there from 10am to 4pm, and for those who come, I have a special pocket just for you.
secretary } loft965’s sombreve tonight
Posted on October 21, 2014 Leave a Comment
eve and the music inside her
In August I was asked by Loft965‘s Nasser AlQatami to create an Eve for his September playlist. He explained it was an annual list which was traditionally broody and moody; a little like me, a little like Eve. Of course I said yes. He told me how his playlist titles were always portmanteaus so together we came up with Sombreve. It has a French ring to it, but I like it despite the fact. Click here to download the playlist. Oh and the whole point of all this is that I’ve been wondering what to play tonight. I’m usually so sure and prepared but not with this show. So this morning driving back from dropping off the children at school, Sombreve popped to mind and I immediately Whatsapped Nasser about it, and thankfully he not only said yes but had it delivered on a flashdrive and CD. Now that’s lofty service. Thank you, Nasser!
tuesday night, bring your appetites
Posted on October 19, 2014 Leave a Comment
Thank you, Mo, for working with me on this. My brother.
new paintings } the centerfold II and III
Posted on October 17, 2014 7 Comments
the three centerfolds } secretaries orange, yellow and green
After painting my first two Centerfolds, I decided that they would seem a little out of place in my upcoming exhibition. So I scrapped work on the third (and originally fourth) painting. Yesterday my dear friend Mai visited the gallery and asked me where they were. I told her that I felt they were superfluous and irrelevant. To that she objected and said that they would actually ‘clinch’ the show. So I decided to put them back in. This morning I completed my third Centerfold thanks to Mai. And this is why it’s important to have your loved ones visit pre-show. Read More
secretary } let the preps begin!
Posted on October 14, 2014 Leave a Comment
the four men who made my light boxes. thank you, fellas! these guys work really, really hard to realize the dream of one person. seems a little lop-sided in the grand balance of the universe, but that’s how things go in this life
Yesterday the crew at the Sultan Center and I began preparing for my exhibition next Tuesday. It’s a relief to begin but my brain is all over the place. There are so many details that I have to see to and still a few ideas that need to be tested out. I am taking a deep, week-long breath and hoping it all works out to my expectations. Fingers crossed. Read More
time to draw those little red circles around a date
Posted on October 5, 2014 2 Comments
.
This is it. It’s official and there’s no turning back. I know many of you can’t be here but never underestimate the power of good will. Wish me luck!
in bazaar, on bazaar
Posted on October 1, 2014 7 Comments
eve up to her antics again } this month eve photobombs the cover of bazaar magazine. the photo was taken by my sister-in-law jana alnaqeeb. the model is dawnn karen and the typewriter is my son’s. oh and i made the dress. the idea to include eve in the design was bazaar’s. lastly, a big thank you to padmini chandrasebaran for bringing it all together
A few weeks ago I asked the editor-in-chief/resident guru of Bazaar, Ahmed El Adly, if he could please, pretty please let me design the October cover of his magazine. After begging (and bribing him with cookies), he accepted. Read More
and in the news today
Posted on September 30, 2014 2 Comments
ode to the secretary
I am so happy with this ledger I’ve been working on for my upcoming exhibition that I couldn’t resist sharing a few pictures with you tonight. Details about the exhibition are soon to come!
Just a quickie, I did these by firstly using decopatch glue to transfer the newsprint onto the paper, and afterwards using carbon paper to create the duplicates on top of the print. Fun!
Because I’m in love with Hooverphonic at the moment: ‘We All Float’.
new ‘painting’ } the centerfold I
Posted on September 27, 2014 Leave a Comment
the centerfold I, 2014, acrylic on paper
The closest thing I’ve ever come to feeling in love without being in love is this. I’m excited, giddy, nervous and I’m laughing out loud because I’m happy. I wasn’t sure where I was going with this one but I think it’s finally worked and I’ll use it for my upcoming exhibition. Which means I must create more. And happily I will.
I decided to include a song on this post, so I told myself the first song that pops up on my iTunes I’ll post. But I didn’t think Run DMC’s ‘It’s Tricky’ was befitting, so I chose the second song, Metric’s ‘Gimme Sympathy’. Enjoy.
prettygreenbullet 