Story Of the Artist: Reem R And Her Love Of Oranges

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by Alexandra Mansilla

Story Of the Artist: Reem R And Her Love Of Oranges

27 Feb 2024

Meet Reem R, a Palestinian visual artist represented by Hunna Art Gallery. She is fond of oil paintings, vibrant and deep colors, and consistently incorporates citrus motifs into her artwork. We caught up with her to explore the symbolism behind oranges in her pieces and to learn how her nephew Hamood, alongside some professional artists, fuels her creative inspiration.

— How long have you been doing it?

— I am a visual artist who spends a lot of time painting. While my passion for art has been with me for as long as I can remember, it was in 2017 that I fell in love with oil painting.

— Did you study to draw? Where?

— I started drawing at a young age and took art classes in school. Then, I studied multimedia design at the American University of Sharjah, where I took a painting course that introduced me to oil paint.

— Why was it oil you fell in love with?

— I fell in love with oil painting because of how it made me feel. It might sound cliché, but the painting showed me how patient I can be. Spending hours, even days, working on a piece taught me discipline and an appreciation for the beauty of detail. Oh, and there is something about the smooth, buttery-like feel of oil paint that is just out of this world.

— What message do you aim to convey through your work?

— I aim to provoke thought and contemplation through my artwork. I usually paint with the intention of prompting viewers to consider why certain elements are chosen and how they can personally interpret and relate to the artwork.

— Do you have a favourite among your works? What is it about?

— My favourite piece is “The Orange Peel”, a self-portrait I created in 2019. This piece holds a deeply personal significance for me. The process of painting served as a journey of self-discovery and healing.

— By the way, we can see a lot of oranges, grapefruits and lemons in your works. Why?

— I have a strong connection to oranges. I love everything about them — their scent, colour and details. The way my mom peels an orange sometimes feels like it is the closest I can be to my motherland, as it is also one of the fruits that symbolise Palestine. And when I paint an orange, it is like all my senses are activated; I can almost smell it as I paint.

Source: Reem's personal archive

— How would you describe your artistic style?

— I would say it is symbolic, characterised by contrasting vivid colour palettes and carefully composed artworks.

— What is your biggest dream or aspiration?

— My dream is to have a zaatar manoushe and a cup of mint tea for breakfast in my painting studio in Palestine.

— Where is your favourite place to work?

— The space I have created for myself.

— How does it look like?

— It is white and filled with canvases ready to be painted on.

— Who has been a significant influence or teacher for you?

— My painting professor, Philip Sheil, has been a significant influence and mentor for me. Even after graduating from university, he continued to believe in me and encouraged me to keep painting. I am forever grateful for the impact he has had on my artistic journey.

— Please name artists you love.

— I admire the works of Sliman Mansour, Anuar Khalifi, Farah Alimi, Jane Dashley, and my 10-year-old nephew, Hamood.

— Wow, tell us more about your nephew, please!

— Hamood’s drawings hold a special place in my heart. My favourite is his drawing of a mosquito. I just adore its delightful randomness. The way he draws without any rules or limitations, solely relying on his imagination, is beautiful. It is definitely something I aspire to relearn — to approach art with the same unrestricted creativity and freedom. To just paint without consideration of composition or how detailed they are.

— Can you please share your plans for the near future?

— I am working on two exciting projects that I prefer not to disclose at the moment.

— Give us a little hint, please!

— There may be an upcoming solo exhibition in the near future!

Photo: @voyyyd

by Alexandra Mansilla