INTERVIEW WITH zena dabbous
Zena Dabbous is a Lebanese-Canadian visual artist whose work features polarized styles in her paintings, drawings, and mural work—from conceptual abstract figures in acrylics and mixed media, to abstract realism portraits in oil paint. Her multi-cultural and eclectic upbringing brings a novel and conceptual perspective to her artwork. Representing women is very important in her creations.
‘‘The journey never ends in what you are capable of creating as you grow as an artist’’
Zena has exhibited locally and internationally, and has the Artist Recognition icon on SaatchiArt online. She has created mural artwork in well-known establishments in Kuwait. She also collaborated on an important mural project for the US Embassy, which is indefinitely exhibited at Kuwait’s Museum of Modern Art. Additionally, she’s been featured in local newspapers and international art magazines.
Do you remember the very first time you picked up a brush? What was the first thing you felt you had to paint?
I don’t remember the first time but I do remember when I was compelled to paint in my late 30’s and I just had to learn. I remember the very first painting I did was just an exploration of colors and textures with oil paint and I never looked back since.
As a self-taught artist, what was the most difficult technical hurdle you had to overcome without the safety net of formal training?
There was such tremendous amount of information that it was difficult to know where to start. But after trying to apply so many different techniques, I found out that in the end it was up to me to teach myself my own methods in order to excel at my skill and talent. And that applies to many aspiring self-taught artists, that whatever you teach yourself is the best method. This took me awhile to figure out on my own.
You’ve described art as a "journey of self-discovery." What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself through your most recent work?
When I look back at my earlier works and compare them to my most recent works, I often wonder how I evolved and changed and that the journey never ends in what you are capable of creating as you grow as an artist.
What is the most "human" mistake you’ve ever made on a canvas that actually ended up making the piece better than you originally planned?
I would say when I try to fix my lack of contrast in colors and keep layering to fix the issues by adding multiple layers that I wasn’t planning on doing, which in consequence made the piece more textured, dynamic and vibrant than had I not experienced challenges to make the colors pop.
What does "artist’s block" look like for you? Is it a heavy silence, or is it a noise that's just too loud to organize into a single idea?
It’s definitely a noise that’s too loud to organize into a single idea. Everyday life can take a toll on creativity and productivity, especially when you need to focus on that single theme for a specific project that has a deadline.
Women’s representation is a pillar of your work. Is there a specific woman from your own life or your multi-cultural upbringing whose strength inspired this focus?
My late mother was one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. And she definitely inspired my women representation of my works. I always admired my mother’s aesthetics and fashion sense as I child and I subconsciously always draw and paint elegant and confident women because of my mother.
What was the first piece of feedback (good or bad) that actually shifted the way you looked at your own potential as an artist?
A famous local artist took a look at my early work when I started to pursue art as my career. Her mostly negative critique, although harsh at first and very difficult to overcome, pushed me to become a better artist and to apply her critiques as a means to better myself in my work. Years later she became my mentor and my muse where I see many similarities in our works, especially our line strokes and women representations.
When you look back at your very first paintings, what do you see in them that is still alive and present in your work today?
I was always interested in expression through art and although my first painting at a glance may have nothing similar to my most recent work, at a closer look you see the similar expression through colors and shapes and textures, even the heavy usage of the tones of blues that have all been pretty dominant in my works.
What is the best piece of advice another artist or critic ever gave you?
A fellow artist once told me to create art for yourself and the rest will flow easier. And it was very true. As soon as I started to create what I really want to, and not what people would want to buy or like to see, I became more successful as an artist.
You’ve already accomplished so much, from local murals in Kuwait to international exhibitions. As you look toward the future, what is the one big project or dream that you are most excited to bring to life?
For years now, I have not been able to start on creating a solo exhibition. It’s been brewing for years and I’m dedicated to finally accomplishing a theme that would represent me fully in my solo project.
