Interview: Eman Barakat
Luca Curci talks with Eman Barakat during Venice International Art Fair 2020 at THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space.

Eman Ahmed Mohamed Barakat, born in Giza, Egypt in Nov 1988, graduate of the Sculpture Department of Faculty of Art Education, received B.A. in 2011 and M.A in 2018 Sculpture department, Egyptian visual artist (sculptor) and teaching fine art.

“I prefer to work with natural, familiar material such as stone and metal to create my own work, and I depends on create forms using details abstract and simple to focus on the beauty of shape, I chose animals shape and abstract it, cause it have more vitality and ability to make different movement, and trying to make a dialogue between shapes in some work, but now I am trying to focus on the idea of beginning and how to find away from it till you find your own way (when I look at my work and checked it I feel like it’s all talking about the beginning when everything started – all we trying to do will be better if we found our real start). Now I am working on creates new shapes inspired from all I did before and develop it, to present my first solo exhibition next year.”

Luca Curci – What are you currently working on?
Eman Barakat – Now I am working on my new collection I already started some sketches to my new art show, Hope to finish it before the end of 2020 to be offered beginning of 2021, Currently I found the main idea but not settled on final shape of the sculptures yet, it’s always takes time to be satisfied about your Artwork specially sculpture because its takes many different steps to be.

LC – What’s your background? What is the experience that has influenced your work the most?
EB – I am Eman Barakat Egyptian Artist Sculptor, born in Nov 1988, graduate of the Sculpture Department of Faculty of Art Education, received B.A. in 2011 and M.A in 2018 Sculpture department, I think that the important thing that affected was Started my masters and my Artwork background was when I started to coexistence with natural materials and my experience in Aswan Sculpture Symposium workshop 2014, where it was the first direct interaction with natural stone as granite.

LC – Which is the role the artist plays in the society? And the contemporary art?
EB – Art is like a mirror of society, I think the important role of the artist is to simulate and show the beauty of the surrounding world and record his impression of it according to his ideas and artistic trend. If artist is able to express the problems of society through his artworks and contribute to having a treatment it, I think this will be more useful and contemporary for art and society.

LC – What is your creative process like?
EB – I prefer to work with natural, familiar material such as Stone and metal to create my own work, and I depends on create forms using details abstract and simple to focus on the beauty of lines, shape & light of form, First I chose animals shape and abstract it, because it have more vitality and ability to make different movement, and trying to make a dialogue between shapes in some work, But now I am trying to focus on the idea of beginning and how to find it till you find your own way (when I look at my artwork and checked it I feel like it’s all talking about the beginning when everything started – all we trying to do will be better if we found our real and right start). Now I Am working on creates a new collection inspired from all I did before and develop it, to present my first solo exhibition soon.

LC – Did your style change over the years? In which way?
EB – I do not consider it changed but it has evolved greatly, due to the practice, developed and experience of participating in many artistic shows. Studying the elements & symbols to reach an abstract state in a simple way, helped final product to succeed, all that made it became more mature and present by time.

EB – Do you agree with our vision of art and what do you think about the theme of the festival?
LC – Yes I do agree with that, I think the diversity in the art fields and show different trends creating a harmony to contact with general situation of the world and development of the artistic vision to different artists with strong directions and sometimes shocking and different.

LC – What do you think about the organization of our event?
EB – Venice, the city of art, I saw many picture in ITSLIQUID GROUP site and enjoyed with it, you have different kind of artwork and artists that why I wanted to participate, and share my artwork with you and was very happy. to accepted.

LC – Would you suggest a collaboration with us? What do you think about our services?
EB – It would be great to collaborate again, you have been constantly understanding and interested despite the conditions the world is currently going through, I am appreciate that.

LC – Do you think ITSLIQUID GROUP can represent an opportunity for artists?
EB – Of course, One more thing I know very well that the fees for renting and equipping exhibition halls are expensive, but I suggest reducing the participation fee to help and motivate young artists to participate in these important and distinguished events. Finally many thanks to ITSLIQUID GROUP and assistance team for that opportunity.