Q and A with Syrian-American Artist Kinda Hibrawi
Kinda Hibrawi is a Syrian American artist. Hibrawi’s original artwork is sought by collectors and is currently exhibited in shows across the US. She is paving the way for a new generation of young Arab American artists. As an Arab American, she has felt the need for her artwork to reflect the richness of the Middle East coupled with Western diversity. She intertwines East and West and exposes audiences to this historic art form.
Ahmad K. Minkara interviewed her recently for Arab Detroit:
How did your journey with art begin? What inspired you?
“My journey into art began as a small child when I lived in Saudi Arabia. I had this babysitter who would tell me these bedtime stories before going to bed. The next morning when I woke up, she would have left by my bedside a drawing from the story she told. It was thrilling to wake up to that. I wanted to be just like her. This was my introduction into the world of fantasy, make believe, and art.”
“Creating and being inspired is really just about drawing inspiration from your surroundings. There is always something to be inspired by if you pay close enough attention to your environment. A chance encounter with a stranger at the book store can be inspiring.”
You grew up from Aramco Saudi to both parents from Aleppo Syria. You also also took calligraphy lessons in Aleppo. How is Aleppo, the gateway and starting point of the Silk Road, influence your art? Can you tell us about this enigmatic calligrapher who trained you? How did Saudi Arabia influence you, the openness of the dessert, the beauty of its sun?
“I feel very blessed to have grown up in such a diverse environment. By living in the Middle East you are exposed to a very old and rich culture; it’s in your blood. The passion and culture of the Arabs is very strong and it seeps into everything from delectable foods, beautiful artifacts, elaborate architecture, and of course the visual arts. Being surrounded by such neutral tones in the environment and minimalistic style of traditional calligraphy and then moving to Southern California where color is everywhere, influenced my work a great deal. I have since been drawn to infusing my art with vivid color in contrast to the ancient tradition of Arabic calligraphy.”
“I was trained by a Master calligrapher in Aleppo who was well trained and dedicated to his craft. I had no idea what I was in for. I had not realized what precision calligraphy entailed, the dedication required to creating that perfect line, and the precision needed for each brush stroke. Being an overly excited fourteen year old, I thought I was up for the challenge. It was much more difficult than I had ever imagined. But with his encouragement and patience, I was able to learn the basics and I’m very grateful to him and his expertise.”
Describe your creative process — how does a piece begin and arrive at completion?
“It all starts with an idea. Once I get inspired with an idea, I figure out how to visually express these thoughts in my head. Sometimes the color scheme and abstract background come to me first, or I play around with the lettering and shapes of words, and the background is secondary. It depends on the piece. With all art ideas, it can be successful or not. This is the journey I believe every artist must embark on with abandon, and embrace how a piece develops. This is part of the creative process to not have a fixed stagnant idea, but something that can evolve and develop into a deeper meaning or style. It is often when the idea develops into something completely different, that it becomes great. In the end unexpected surprises, whether in art or life, are what resonate with us the most.”
Gibran, Gibran, Gibran!!!!!! The theme of your last exhibit last November at the Chiarini Gallery in the Orange County. Gibran was a Sufi (mystic). Would you consider yourself a Sufi? how does mysticism affect your art? In the same token, who are Arab poets that influence you.
“Gibran was a unique philosopher very much ahead of his time. His work was inspired by spirituality more than a set belief, which is what I connect with and understand. I do believe in a higher power, and its influence is apparent in my life and work. Reading many different philosophies from various sources is a practice of mine. Whether it is Buddhism or Sufism there is an inherent truth connecting them all which is to be kind, compassionate, and live an honest life.”
“Nizar Qabbani and Rumi are the two poets besides Gibran that I love.”
Do you have a favorite piece/creation of your own? If so, what is it?
“That is difficult to say because it is sort of like asking me which one is my favorite child. I gave birth to all of them. So I love them all and they each have different meanings to me. But some are more special than others, like if a piece is about someone or it takes me back to certain moment in time. For example, if I was in love at a particular time and that painting was about that moment. Those paintings stand out more than the rest.”
Are you in charge of The Chiarini gallery now? What is in store for the public by Kinda in the near future?
“While I am not in charge, recently the Chiarini Gallery has expanded its Art Gallery to include a Cafe. At each show they hosted, there was an outstanding array of amazing treats at the opening receptions. The food was in such great demand that they have decided to build The Chiarini Art Café, which will open its doors in October. As such I have been asked to take over as Gallery Director. We are still in the negotiation stages, but I have high hopes for this amazing place.”
“As for future projects I am working on a new collection of paintings; as well as a line of Women\\\’s Arabic Calligraphy Tees which I am very excited about. You can see the Tee collection on my website http://kindahibrawi.com/apparel.html”
Ahmad K. Minkara
Arab Detroit