NASREEN SHEIKH JAMAL AL-LEIL IS A SAUDI ARTIST BORN IN MEKKAH IN 1990, AND IT WAS THERE THAT SHE HAD ATTENDED ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BEFORE MOVING TO ENGLAND WITH HER MOTHER. SHE COMPLETED WHAT REMAINED OF HER SCHOOL EDUCATION THERE, IN ADDITION TO OBTAINING MY BACHELOR’S AND MASTER’S FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER IN PHOTOGRAPHY IN 2013. EVEN AT A YOUNG AGE, SHE FOUND A TALENT WITHIN MYSELF FOR THE ARTS. SHE EXCITEDLY NAVIGATED IN THE ARTS OF DRAWING, PHOTOGRAPHY, AND PRINT, AND BEGAN CREATING ACTUAL PIECES OF HERS AT THE AGE OF FIFTEEN.
FOLLOWING THAT STARTING POINT, SHE VENTURED IN THE REALM OF ARTS BY PRESENTING OVER TWENTY GALLERIES THAT WERE HOSTED ALL OVER THE GLOBE - FROM JEDDAH, RIYADH, AL-SHARQIYAH, AND MUSCAT, ALL THE WAY TO MEXICO AND THE UNITED STATES.
SHE ALSO WORKED WITH SEVERAL ARTISTS FROM ENGLAND ON A NUMBER OF ART FESTIVALS DEDICATED TOWARDS THE FINE ARTS, WHICH WERE HELD IN VARIOUS GLOBAL LOCATIONS. SHE PRESENTED BRIEF SUMMARIES OF MY WORKS IN THESE FESTIVALS. ADDITIONALLY, SHE WAS SELECTED TO REPRESENT THE ARABIC-ISLAMIC CULTURAL ARTS COUNCIL IN A LONDON BASED EVENT. THE FORMER IS HELD ONCE EVERY TWO YEARS AND GETS COVERAGE FROM THE AL-JAZEERA NEWSPAPER.
How do your pieces contribute towards raising better social awareness regarding certain issues, such as gender and sexual identities? And what is the importance behind discussing such topics?
A distinguished trait that defines us as humans is our need for purpose; hence, why we never work towards anything unless it contributes towards a purpose. For each of us, we need to recognize and set that definitive purpose for ourselves so that we may work towards it, either through actions or words.
For me, that was using my art to paint the true beauty of Islam. My works haven’t ‘bettered’ the image of this religion, it’s the other way around; Islam in its true and magnificent form is what gives my pieces their natural intricate beauty. Its image will fuel both me and other artists of various backgrounds.
To be aware of something entails a thorough understanding of its true image. It occurs first to the individual, who can then use his art to illustrate the need for awareness about this topic in the best manner possible.
Our understanding of gender and sexual identities is largely passed down from one generation onto the next one, which makes its dialogue all the more concerned and connected with art. Art is responsible for presenting a clean image of the concept it revolves around, all while pointing out the fallacies and lies it might get associated with. Such conversations are especially important to us artists, because it allows us to increase the scope of our pieces in addition to providing room for growth as individuals.
abstract
How do you ensure that your works tackle the Arab-based art scene, with emphasis on Saudi Arabia?
I always try as much as possible to create enthralling art that inspires Arabs, with a specific interest on Saudis. This is because of my belief that Saudi Arabia is the central focal point for Arabs and Islam. So, I work hard to make my works captivating and encouraging for other Muslim artists. I attempt to inspire them to create their own pieces of art that they could share with the world, so that they may find individuals of all ages that truly appreciate their talents, and so that they are better-abled in terms of creating quality content that elevates the Arab art scene. The former has proved itself to be a pinnacle of creativity, logic, and emotion numerous of times throughout history.
variant space
WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THAT SPACES THAT EMPOWER MUSLIM WOMEN ARTISTS ARE IMPORTANT, SUCH AS THE VARIANT SPACE PLATFORM? AND WHAT ROLE DO THESE SPACES PLAY IN ERADICATING STEREOTYPES?
Nowadays, spaces that empower muslim women artists are more important than ever. Muslim women are constantly being misunderstood from both the muslim and the non-muslim communities, which places a burden of responsibility on us as artists to communicate the true images of muslim women. It was Islam’s wisdom and exhortation that dug muslim women out of the holes they were once buried in, and we as artists can follow in the steps of that wisdom to
enact true change.
How has your academic background in the art of photography helped you in communicating your messages throughout your pieces? And do you believe that?
My academic ventures definitely have helped in directing me towards a specific artistic interest. They also greatly contributed to growth in my talents as an artist because of the feedback I received from my college mentors and professors, who exposed me to experience and care.
Additionally, academic atmospheres provide artists with a lot of time that they can dedicate towards their works and getting exposed to other artists and individuals.
beyond the veil
DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR PIECES TO BE CONVERSATIONS WITH YOURSELF? OR DO THEY GO BEYOND THAT SCOPE AND INCLUDE THE AUDIENCE IN THE CONVERSATION TOO?
I PERSONALLY THINK THAT STARTING A DIALOGUE WITH YOURSELF IN ONE OF YOUR PIECES IS A HIGHLY
ADVANCED LEVEL. IT’S AN ESSENTIAL PREREQUISITE TO ARTISTS DELVING INTO THEIR CREATIVE SELVES. AS FOR INCLUDING THE AUDIENCE IN THE DIALOGUE, THAT’S A GIVEN. MANY ARTISTIC WORKS ARE BIRTHED INTO OUR WORLD BECAUSE OF THE CONVERSATION GOING ON AROUND US.
AS A SAUDI ARTIST, WERE YOUR WORKS GIVEN THE SAME AMOUNT OF ATTENTION/APPRAISAL FROM THE COMMUNITY HERE IN COMPARISON TO THE REACTION YOU RECEIVED IN INTERNATIONAL GALLERIES, SUCH AS EAST OF WEST?
YES, MY PIECES WERE GIVEN A LOT OF RECOGNITION, WHICH IS WHY I WAS INVITED TO PRESENT THEM IN SEVERAL IMPORTANT CITIES, INCLUDING AL-RIYADH, MUSCAT, WASHINGTON, AND NEW MEXICO. AND I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A GOOD OMEN FOR ARTISTS, BECAUSE IT TELLS US THAT OUR WORKS ARE IN FACT BEING SEEN AND HEARD.