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Dubai: Areej Rajab's work carries no titles

Areej Rajab is a Bahraini artist known for her evocative use of color and emotional depth. While her early academic pursuits were in business and general management, her passion for creativity led her to the London College of Art, where she refined her artistic voice. Areej’s work transcends conventional categorization, characterized by its abstract forms and the absence of titles, allowing viewers to bring their narratives to her art.


What’s your earliest memory of creating art?

My earliest memory of creating art goes back to when I was a child, experimenting with color mixing. I was fascinated by how combining different shades could create entirely new hues, often spending hours trying to recreate the colors I saw in nature or around me.


What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever used as a medium/tool/platform in your artwork?

An injection syringe is one of the most unconventional tools I have used in my art. I discovered its precision was perfect for applying incredibly fine lines in a way that brushes couldn’t achieve. This method allowed me to introduce intricate detail into my work, creating a sense of movement and control that contrasted with the fluidity of my broader strokes.


How do you come up with the titles for your pieces?

I never title my work because I prefer to leave the interpretation open to the viewer. By keeping my pieces unnamed, I allow a window for individual emotions and personal stories to emerge without the influence of specific words. Various individuals see and feel something different when they engage with my art, primarily since my paintings often draw inspiration from nature and landscapes. I believe that naming a piece could impose a fixed meaning or direction, and I don’t want to burden the artwork with that constraint. Art, like emotions, is fluid and subjective, and I want viewers to experience it on their terms, free to take away whatever resonates most with them.


What’s the most unusual source of inspiration you’ve ever had?

I find inspiration in the intricate, often unseen world of microscopic images of blood cells and viruses. There is something truly mesmerizing about the organic patterns and structures that exist on such a small scale. The textures, shapes, and sometimes chaotic formations within these microscopic images translate beautifully into abstract forms, sparking my imagination unexpectedly. Nature can hide beauty in the most unlikely places, and discovering it in such fine, scientific detail is rewarding and surprising. It reminds me that art, like life, can emerge from even the most minor, seemingly insignificant elements and transform into something more significant.


If you could only use three colors/instruments/software for the rest of your life, which would you choose?

The three primary colors. Red, blue, and yellow.


Mestaria Gallery, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, proudly presents the latest exhibition by renowned Bahraini artist Areej Rajab, titled “Interwoven,” until November 10, 2024. The exhibition invites viewers to experience an artistic and therapeutic play of colors and emotions where the intricate patterns of human behavior are delicately overlapped with the rhythms of nature. Unlike artists who capture and document present moments to reflect current experiences and complexities they navigate, Areej’s paintings reflect a place where she aspires to be — expressing an optimistic vision of the world. Through her translation of nature, she shifts perspectives to convey joy and optimism. She uses a carefully chosen color palette, weaving a spectrum of colors, with each hue and shade meticulously selected to inspire specific emotions and moods. She leaves her paintings untitled, believing that each viewer should have the freedom to interpret and connect with the artwork in their own way.

What piece of art do you take the most pride in and why?

It is hard to single out one piece because I take pride in all my creations. Each artwork represents a different emotional state or period in my life; in that way, they are all personal.


Do you have any quirky rituals or habits when you’re in your creative zone?

I spend hours in the studio as a mood setter before getting to actual work.

How do you deal with a creative block?

Dealing with creative blocks is tricky, but I have learned that the best approach for me is not giving it too much power. By not acknowledging the block, I avoid getting stuck in the frustration of it. Sometimes, it is about giving myself permission to be imperfect, knowing that creativity flows naturally.


What’s the most memorable reaction someone has had to your work?

I’m always told that my art translates to happiness. Viewers often describe feeling uplifted and energized by the colors and forms I use. Hearing this feedback is always incredibly rewarding.


What’s one piece of advice you’d give to artificial intelligence aspiring to replace artists?

I believe it stands no chance when it comes to total replacement. The artist is the only constant among all variables.


What would you be doing if you weren’t an artist?

If I weren’t an artist, I’d try to be one.


What’s the strangest place you’ve ever found inspiration for a piece?

I found inspiration in something as mundane as old wooden storage shelves in local garages. A certain nostalgia and texture to these shelves—weathered by time and use—caught my attention.


Can you describe your art in three words?

Places to be.


What’s your favorite part about the process of creating art?

My favorite part would be the planning process. This is where the possibilities seem endless. I enjoy the initial conceptualization and deciding on colors, textures, and themes. It is where I set the mood for the entire creation, even though I know that spontaneity will play a role as I progress.


If you could have your artwork displayed anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Museums.

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