10 Questions with Samira Debbah

Samira Debbah is an artist, painter, and sculptor based in Morocco. She comes from a family that gives importance to art and creativity. She was always interested in art her entire life. The passion for creation came to her from childhood. She began painting from a young age, but it was more of a hobby, and she continued her studies in engineering. After her studies and a career in entrepreneurship, she realized her dream, which was close to her heart, to become an artist and make a living from her art.

sdebbah.com | @sdebbahstudio

ARTIST STATEMENT

Her work is an interpretation of everything she is and what she connects with the most in life, especially her sentimental side. She puts everything she has into it, and only when she is in love with it, does she stop.

She likes to create art that allows the spectator to create a debate between him and the work. She doesn't limit herself to just one style or concept. She likes to play with shapes and nuances to create a unique combination.

INTERVIEW

First of all, you come from an engineering background. When did you first decide to become an artist, and how did you start experimenting with art?

I was always interested in art my entire life. The passion for creation came to me from childhood. I began painting from a young age, but it was more of a hobby, and I continued my studies in engineering. After my studies and a career in entrepreneurship, I decided to realize my dream, which was close to my heart, to become an artist and make a living from my art.

What is your personal aim as an artist? 

I love to create art that allows the viewers to interpret it according to their perception and vision, to create a debate between them and their deepest unique interpretations. Also, I hope my art inspires artists to accept themselves and their art without being afraid to be judged.

How did your practice evolve over the years? And how would you define yourself as an artist today? 

At first, I experimented with tools and different color compositions to create abstract or figurative works. Then I wanted to push my limits more by creating works that express my ideas and my way of seeing the world in a unique way that represents me. So I will say my style is the interpretation of everything I am, what I connect with the most in life, especially my sentimental side.

Your work revolves around things you love and enjoy. Where do you get inspiration for your work? 

Mostly from anywhere and anything. For example, I get inspired by my environment and emotions. For me, art is a way to release my feelings and ideas.

What is your creative process like? And how did you evolve this way of working? 

I walk into a blank canvas with just putting anything like lines, colours, and I start to follow the process with no plan or strategy other than following my intuition, doing what seems good to me, and adjusting the course as I go. I put everything I have into it, and only when I am in love with it, this is when I stop painting. About sculpture, I start by sketching the concept, choosing the appropriate materials to present my idea, and working on it.

What aspect of your work do you pay particular attention to? 

I think I focus more on what I want to convey as a message through my work. I think the content of the work conveys the deeper meaning and message behind the artist's artwork.

Do you like to experiment with new techniques, mediums and materials, or do you tend to gravitate towards the same ones?

Sometimes I like to experiment with new mediums and see what happens. It allows me not to remain static and to remain creative.

What do you think about the art community and market? And how did your perception change over the last year due to the pandemic? 

I think having a community is an important thing as an artist. It allows you to meet other artists who share the same inspirations and the same goals. Also, it keeps you motivated and inspired to try new things. However, the pandemic had an impact on all our lives. Starting from social distancing and quarantine, which led us to feel uncomfortable, challenged, and disturbed at the same time for not being able to socialize face to face with people. But thanks to technology, that facilitates staying connected with communities and letting us continue our events online. This pandemic teaches us how to develop the ability to adjust our strategy according to circumstances, which is the best skill for any creative field. 

What are you working on now, and what are your plans for the future? Anything exciting you can tell us about? 

My current priority is gaining global recognition and continuing to create new work. Also, I am working on creating collaborations with an Interior Design Studio in the future.

Finally, any projects or exhibitions you are looking forward to for this year? 

For this year, I am studying the idea of getting into the NFT market.