Basma Alshather
Describe your background
My background is in art and design. I studied interior design and have a masters in ceramics. After working in marketing for many years, I left the corporate world to take care of my parents.
However, by doing courses or doodling, art was always with me even when I didn’t fully practise it. Now I translate my prints into textiles designing luxury scarves, which means I’m weaving art into fashion. Colour, texture and composition – they all interest me.
When did you become a printmaker and why?
You can count me as one of those people who doesn’t know why they venture into new experiences. I did a term of adult education where I learnt the basics of printmaking and I loved the process.
Years later I picked it up again, so I am essentially a self-taught printmaker.
There is always something new to learn and I enjoy the many processes involved in printmaking. I use linocut, monotype and mezzotint. Each one of these processes offers something different.
What is your preferred medium and why?
At the moment, I don’t have one preferred process. I have embarked on a one-year advanced printmaking course to deepen my knowledge and also to specialise in one or two processes. This is my challenge for the foreseeable future as my aim is to combine two or more processes. Watch this space.
If your house was burning down, what art would you save?
My favourite painting? I don’t know the title or the name of the artist. It was signed as The Traveller. I was told he painted it before he left Iraq to continue his art studies in Paris. It has been in my family ever since I remember. It is a beautiful reminder of my childhood in the south of Iraq.
How do you sum up your approach to art?
The essence of my printmaking practice is creating a rhythmic space within thought-provoking images using abstract forms. My abstraction is influenced by Islamic art and architecture. However, my approach is precision.
I like to challenge myself and practise a more freely approach with painterly strokes through monotype. My dream is for the viewer to stop in a world of speed and to capture the magic of everyday living.
Are any members of your family artists or printmakers?
My grandfather was interested in art and he painted the walls of his house with some very beautiful designs and colours. Sadly I don’t have any images of what he did. I would have liked to have met him.
