Personal Info
- Country of residence: Palestine
Information
Dana Awartani (born in 1987): She is
a Saudi-Palestinian who was born and raised in the Saudi city of Jeddah, where
she practices her work and hobbies these days.
education
Awartani graduated with a BA in Fine
Art from Central Saint Martins, London. She then obtained an MA in Traditional
Arts from The Princess School, London. At the Princess School, she learned how
to make stained glass, miniature painting, gilding and many diverse traditional
techniques from cultures around the world. However, she couldn't get a degree
in lighting there, so she searched and found a lady in Turkey to help her
become a master in lighting.
the job
Awartani employs a variety of media
in her work, including painting, mosaics, and sand mosaics. Her work is unique
in that it seeks to fuse the traditional methods of Islamic art into a
contemporary world. Her art is also rich in geometric motifs and the most
intricate detailing, Dana often incorporating patterns of Islamic motifs. In
addition to mixing motifs, Awartani performs lighting, tile, and woodwork work.
She explores the relationship between geometry and nature, as well as how
realities can be translated through art using geometric principles, and
visualizes sacred language through a layered symbolic aesthetic. Her technique,
which emerged more than 1,000 years ago as an alternative to the forbidden
depiction of divine figures, is still practiced today, by specialists such as
Dana.
Awartani sayings
Dana said on Arabs and Art: "We
as Arabs grow up around this beautiful art. We are surrounded by it in every
corner but we are not aware of it. You can see the architecture around you in
mosques for example. I was looking for a path and after following and searching
deep inside I felt inspired Until I found the answer.There is an inner and
outer beauty that hides a story behind every curated piece, and there is no
randomness when it comes to creating such pieces.
She said, “On Islamic Art,”: “First,
Islamic art is not made just for the sake of making art. It is a sacred
spiritual practice used as a way of worshiping God. He also teaches patience
and respect and as an Islamic artist, my work is a form of prayer and dhikr. I
need to be 100% focused and in a good mood to be able to do that, otherwise I
can't."
As an artist, I'm always curious,
always wanting to know more, and because of research and inspection, I'm
constantly evolving. I am a tough critic. I push myself very hard, but I'm very
happy with my progress
Once a journalist called me at an
exhibition, and when he realized I wasn't fluent in Arabic, he used me as an
example of why you shouldn't send Saudi girls to study abroad. This pissed me
off. I really felt offended. Who am I because I lived and studied abroad. I
speak a universal language. Even if you don't understand it, you can always
appreciate its beauty. I believe in the beauty of art.
source
Achievements and Awards
- Years in active
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