Amar A. Zahr, Rapture, 2014

Interview: Amar Abou Zahr

Luca Curci talks with artist Amar Abou Zahr during Pixels of Identities in Istanbul.

Amar A. Zahr was born in Doha, Qatar in 1988. Working predominantly in the mediums of painting and installation, she is also a selective photographer. Having recently completed an art residency in the School of Visual Arts, New York she is now preparing for her next exhibition in the city. Previously, she was enrolled in an independent art residency at maumau, Istanbul, the works she created resulted in her first solo exhibition. Throughout the last few years she has been actively participating in group exhibitions in Dubai, Dublin, Istanbul and Paris. 

Amar A. Zahr, Rapture, 2014

Luca Curci – Your work has just been exhibited during Pixels of Identities in Istanbul: can you talk abut your personal experience in Istanbul with International ArtExpo?

Amar A. Zahr – As soon as I heard about the exhibition opportunity in Istanbul I knew I had to participate as it’s a city I hold very close to my heart. Although I couldn’t physically make it to the exhibition, International ArtExpo has been extremely professional and helpful in dealing with the logistical part to ensure everything would be prepared in time for the exhibition.

Amar A. Zahr, The Spaces between her Faces III, 2014

L. C. – Can you talk about the artwork you presented in Istanbul ? How is it linked with the festival’s theme?

A. A. Z. – I presented four works from my latest photography series “Rapture”. The series aims at portraing human interference on earth depicting an “Eve and the Machine” story line.

Amar A. Zahr, Rapture, 2014

L. C. – What are you currently working on?

A. A. Z. – I have just completed an art residency in the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York which culminated in a group exhibition. During this residency I challenged myself in a different direction to build an installation using materials that I don’t usually work with; harsh metals, plaster mold etc.. I was very pleased with the end result which can be found on my website: amarazahr.com/cleanse-express.

Amar A. Zahr, Cleanse Express, 2014

L. C. – What is art for you?

A. A. Z. – Art for me is about creation. Inherently, I create in order to express. I gather my inspiration from my travels and the direct world around me. If I feel I’m not in an enriching environment, inspiration is sometimes just not attainable – sort of a writer’s block.

Amar A. Zahr, Rapture, 2014

L. C. – What do you think about International ArtExpo organization?

A. A. Z. – I definitely believe international ArtExpo provides artists with a great platform to make that their works are seen in countries to which they may otherwise not have access to. They have definitely done a great job in identifying emerging artist and curating their works within the right environment.

L. C. – Do you think International ArtExpo organization can represent an opportunity for artists?

A. A. Z. – As above.