5 Questions with Artist Intisar Alyamani, FRSA By Lavish Concept
1. What was your earliest memory of art?
I visited the National Gallery as a small child and was in awe of John Constable's painting The Hay Wain. I marvelled at the depiction of the sky and brush strokes but too young to understand what was happening and make sense of my feelings.
2. Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Spirituality. Life will always have challenges, but reminding myself with intention each day to feel the light and beauty of the natural environment and contemplate in faith. To be grateful for the flow of the day and cherish human relationships. For me, the crescent moon is a symbol of all of it. The paintings revolve around harmony, transcendence, ascension.
3. How would you describe your painting style?
I was taught by a German painter who was influenced by the Impressionist period. It opened a world of possibilities for me to express through impasto, explore light and hues through en plein air painting, and avoid the use of black paint- it dulls colour. To be bold and have the courage to embrace my own style and painting technique without compromise.
While I was taught traditional still life oil painting, life drawing and sculpture, abstraction was my calling. This evolved at Goldsmiths where I continued my art schooling. At that point, I discovered the colour and luminous effect in Turner’s Norham Castle, Sunrise which took my breath away. I began to see yellows and blues in a different light- an elevated one.
4. Tell us more about your contribution to the early Saudi art movement in the 2000s?
I was invited to submit my paintings as part of the Saudi Plastic Arts touring exhibition with work by Saudi art pioneers such as Abdulhalim Radwi, Mohamed Alsaleem and Hanan Bahamdan. We were all in a catalogue together. I still have it and cherish it. The world did not know much about Saudi creatives, and to be officially acknowledged then and in a written certification presented to me- as an artist who has contributed to promoting Saudi art globally, was a huge honour for me.
5. What is one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring artist?
Dream and create. Give yourself time to be still and contemplate. Everything meant for you will be.