Tavan Studio in Conversation

In this episode I get to sit down and have a late night chat with visual artist Afra Al Dhaheri.  Afra's work is rooted in her experiences growing up in Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE – a place of recent and rapid change. We really get to go deep into her practice and the visual language of her work, her relationship with materials, and the questions she ponders while creating . We also talk about the importance of choosing the right gallery to be represented by,  how productivity and creativity have been challenged during the lock down, and much more.  Afra is also an Assistant Professor in Visual Arts at Zayed University , Abu Dhabi, and the cofounder of Bait15.

You can follow Afra on instagram @afra_aldhaheri

Nahla Al Tabbaa is an independent educator, artist, consultant and urban researcher with various institutions including Art Jameel, Frying Pan Adventures, previously the Sharjah Art Foundation, and the co-founder of Daftar Asfar, an artist sketchbook platform.

In this episode we delve deep into Nahla's socially engaged art practice, her love of food and storytelling, her approach to the reactivity of art especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic, and how all her various interests and skills enhance and complement one another to create her wholehearted creative lifestyle.

You can find her on instagram @nahlatabbaa

This episode is available on any of your favorite listening platforms.

One of my 2019 highlights was having the opportunity to interview a fave artist of mine, Soheila Sokhanvari! Her intricate and masterful work is thought provoking and enchanting, wistfully transporting you into a world of patterns and nostalgia. In this episode Soheila talks to us about her collection of family photos, magic realism, how textile and patterns are political, her creative process, and much more. I would also like to thank Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery for allowing me to crash their private party and Aziz Bindeid-Barnes for fixing me a hot cup of hibiscus tea on that chilly London evening. 

You can follow Soheila on instagram @soheila_sokhanvari_ 

In this episode, artist Sara Naim talks about her love of photography,  experimenting with different materials, what "home" means to her, and how borders (on all levels) are ultimately just illusions. We discuss her at home studio practice and how being represented by a gallery has impacted her lifestyle and much more. Tune in to learn  about Sara's creative process and her thought provoking work and make sure to check her out on instagram @saranaim_

Happy 2020 and welcome to a new episode of Tavan Studio in Conversation with Iranian artist Arghavan Khosravi. It was a pleasure visiting Arghavan at her NYC studio on the last day of 2019 surrounded by her art work in preparation for her solo exhibition at Stems Gallery in Brussels. In this episode Arghavan talks about her journey as an artist, how she continues to create more and more work when facing doubt, and being conscious of not being an opportunist but rather create honest work as a reaction to things that are happening around her. This episode is packed with a whole lot more and I hope you enjoy this listen as much as I did !  

As we wrap up 2019, I got the opportunity to chat with the amazing Lebanese-American artist, stylist, and thrifter, Feda Eid. Feda talks about her journey growing up in the states, her visit to Beirut after many many years, and how a car accident changed her life. Learn more about her photography, styling, community and museum projects, and overall creative living in this episode. Enjoy! You can follow Feda on instagram @fedaeid

In this episode, Syrian illustrator Rama Duwaji talks about figuring out her art career and passion post college. We take a virtual trip to Beirut and learn about her residency at Haven for Artists, then make our way to Damascus as she talks about her return post the civil war. In her work, Rama explores topics regarding beauty standards, mental health, and self care and expands on how a platform like social media can be a double edged sword. 

Noush Anand, also known by her stage name "Noush like Sploosh", is a Dubai based multidisciplinary artist. In this episode we discuss her creative process and how it was important for her to be honest with herself and honor her body and soul while building a "home" in what she wanted to do -sing!  She talks about how she learned to let go of judgment , and how some of her lyrics are a result of her crying while she was in the corporate world doing admin work.  We also get a glimpse into her creative working space and see how she utilizes her home in her daily practice. You can find Noush on instgaram @noushlikesploosh

In this episode's sit down with Dubai based Iraqi artist, Ruba Al-Araji, we discuss how Ruba's love for comic books came from her parents, her amazing residency in Japan #visitjapan, and the reality of having a day job and how it can affect your own perception about being an artist. You can follow to lovely Ruba on instagram @penpowder 

In this very first episode of Tavan Studio in Conversation, Yosra speaks with Dubai based Pakistani Artist, Sophiya Khwaja. Sophiya is a prolific printmaker and an active member of the  Dubai art scene. In this episode, Sophiya talks about how she manages being an artist and an entrepreneur; how studying art helped her in business, and how 4 hour long walks are important and totally OK 🙂