Interview with Her Highness Sayyidah Latifah Al Said
April 2007
- Personal Details
- Name: Latifah bint Fahr bin Taimoor Al Said
- Age: 25
- Nationality: Omani
- Website: http://www.latifahalsaid.com/
Oman3D had the honour of interviewing the young Omani artist Her Highness Sayyidah Latifa Al Said of the Omani Royal Family. Latifah held her first exhibition for her painting artwork in December last year and had appeared in various Omani publications. We interviewed her to learn more about her artwork and her experience as an Omani artist. We hope that her work inspires male and female young Omani artists as much as it inspired us.
Latifah: This painting was inspired by a friend of mine that Ive known since I was at school, The idea behind the piece was how we view ourselves, and how we as women have a percieved image of how we appear and the identity that that in turn represents to the outside world.
O3D: First of all, could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
Latifah: My Name is Latifah, and I am a 25 year old Artist of Omani and British Parentage.
I have always had a desire to create, and I believe that over the years this passion for art has been fed and moulded by the people that I have encountered, and the places I have visited.
I was blessed to have had parents that gave me their full support throughout my studies of the Arts, and that in turn gave me the confidence that I would need to keep on with the pursuit of my artistic dreams and goals.
O3D: Where did you grow up?
Latifah:The earlier years of my childhood were spent in beautiful Oman, and then I continued my education in Great Britain till the age of 18.
O3D: When and how did your artistic journey begin?
Latifah: I’d Like to think that my artistic journey began, as soon as I realised that I could use my hands and fingers to make shapes and patterns on any thing that I would find around the house. Fortunately my parents noticed that this childish mark making was more than just a phase, and at school and in the home, I would always spend any spare time that I had in turning my thoughts and dreams into 2d images, I suppose it was a natural instinct for the need of communication with the world around us.
O3D: What is your source of inspiration?
Latifah: I have recently been studying and painting in London since the New Year, hence the title for the painting. The idea was that through a change in environment I was re inventing myself and the way I painted and the things I chose to paint. Its metaphorical for my own personal desire to be new and see the world through different eyes.
Latifah:My inspiration comes from many things, often the world around me and the people that I spend time with. A big passion of mine is the theatre, and I love watching ballets or operas as I feel that these actors and dancers are like brothers and sisters to us artists. The nature around us is also a great source for creativity, and can give all of us a sense of peace and calm in this hectic world that we live in. I hope that I am able to sometimes transmit those sentiments in my paintings, and I find that the brush strokes themselves can have a soothing effect on ones emotions or every day worries.
O3D: Which artists have influenced you, and how?
Latifah: There have been many artists that have informed and affected my taste in art over the years, but as I spent the last few years in Italy, I would probably say that the Italian School of art from Leonardo to Caravaggio, Tizian to Francesco Hayez really made me fall in love with the Italian techniques of Painting.
Throughout History and from all over the world we have seen so much talent and creativity being made, and I believe that The Middle East is really coming out of the shadows for the whole world to see there artistic potential in there youth.
Latifah: I was passing my local florist when I saw these wonderful sunflowers and they just made me smile. Most artists (including myself) tend to be very hesitant in using them due to Van Goghs immortilisation of them in his own famous painting. Then when I was developing my photos at the nearbye photo shop I was discussing my idea for a painting with the shop owner and he said 'I have a little present for you' and he gave me a small calender of various photos of sunflowers shown each month. I took that as a sign that the sunflowers had to be painted! I like my art to be inspired by my daily interactions, almost so that they become a visual memory/diary for my life, dreams and hopes.
O3D: Could you please describe the nature of your education at the Charles Cecil School of Naturalistic Art?
Latifah: Charles H. Cecil Studios is a school of Fine Art in the naturalistic tradition which offers a thorough training in the classical techniques of drawing and oil painting. The curriculem stems directly from the leading ateliers of 19th Century Paris, Though it's ultimate source lies in the theory and practice of Leonardo Da Vinci.
The aim of the studio is threefold: To teach the perception of nature in the light of the masters, to study the humanistic values that underlie the art of oil painting, and to rediscover and evolve the visual imagery for a new renaissance. The first step in the atelier method is to draw accuratelu from nature. Using the sight-size technique, students are taught to stand back from the easel and depict the subject to scale in a proportion tru to life. In this way they learn from the very beginning to see the image as a whole. for three hours each weekday students draw or paint the model.
O3D: What is the most challenging aspect of studying art?
Latifah: I believe that there are many challenges for those that wish to follow an artistic career path, that is why it is essential to have a lot of passion, courage and conviction in what you want to do. Often people have told me once they have found out that I am an artist - Why dont you get a proper job, or my daughter does that in her spare time, why dont you?
Once again I must say I was fortunate to have been supported in my work choice by my parents, but many of my friends were either told to study something else or made to do it as a hobby.
Gaining the right techniques and skills can be a bit hard as there is never just one teacher who will teach you everything you need to know, but a whole number of them that will direct you on your journey.
O3D: What drawing/painting tools do you enjoy using the most?
Latifah: For drawing I love using fine 0.5 ink pens, or a range of pencils or chalks with varying tones and gradients.
Latifah: This was done from a short holiday in Switzerland, it was the first time that I had visited this skiing resort and I thought that the snow and mountains were all very inspiring. Luckily I painted it from the comfort of my warm studio, as that day was very cold and sitting outside for hours in the snow isnt very pleasent!
O3D: How long does it take you to complete one of your pieces?
Latifah: When I paint I am quite fussy about the quality of my canvas, paintbrushes and oil paints. We are lucky in Oman that there are a few shops that have a good range of materials ( though they are quite expensive for younger Artists.)
With my own paintings I might spend anything from a week to four weeks, and a drawing might take a few hours or more.
O3D: Do you have a favorite piece that you've done?
Latifah: I still need to make my favourite painting, as every time I finish one I am already starting to dream up the next one so that it might be better.
O3D: What messages are you trying to send through your art?
Latifah: Some of my paintings have no meaning, whilst others may become quite symbolistic (though sometimes this is hidden from the viewer.) I think that I like to hint the idea of what is the meaning to this life, the superficiality of it at times, and the way it can change and make us into who we are.
O3D: In December 2006 you held your first exhibition, tell us more about it? And what did you achieve from the exhibition as an artist?
Latifah: I had my first exhibition last December 2006 and I learnt so much from the whole experience, I was so fortunate that I was able to have a solo show and all the feed back from it really motivated me onwards in my artistic journey. The paintings shown were from the work accumulated over the past two years, including some work from when I was in my last year at art school in Italy. The title of the show was ‘Because of you’, and this was done in memory of my Father. I think I gained a lot more confidence in myself after the show as I finally had achieved my first serious dream/goal, and it made me feel that if I worked hard enough I could achieve anything I wanted.
Latifah: I had just arrived in London after the new year when I saw this bridge in my favourite park. I haven't painted many water scenes or bridge scenes but recently I have seen so many beautiful wooden bridges in the area that I think I might base a section of my future exhibiton on these wonderful structures.
The title is influenced by the sense of memory and recollection for journeys made with people, the water flows and so does life, its ever changing.
O3D: Are there any plans for a new event in the near future?
Latifah: Who knows what the future has in store, I only hope to keep on painting, see more great art, and hopefully one day be recognised for what I have created. I would like to have my next exhibition in April 2008 ( at the moment im already preparing the paintings for this future show!) I havent thought of a title yet but I find that sometimes they come once the collection of paintings are finalised.
O3D: What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Latifah: My advice for any young would be that they should practice practice practice, just as with any skill practice makes perfect and the harder you work to brush up on your skill the more it will pay off in your work. Its essential not to be scared of a blank canvas or piece of paper, just go for it and have FUN. Art is a pleasurable act and that sensation will fuel you with creativity and dedication late into the night.
We would like to end by thanking Her Highness for having this interview with Oman3D, we wish her the best of luck with her upcoming projects. You can view her online portfolio via this link.
© Oman3D.com - The Creative Adventure - April 2007
© Latifah Al Said - 2007