Painter showcases human beauty in new exhibition

AMMAN — “In a world full of conflict, the beauty of nature remains, and like a flower grows naturally, we are all born free.” This is the message that artist Rana Sunaij aims to deliver with “Harmony”, her latest solo exhibition at the Wadi Finan Art Gallery where the artist has been exposing her work over the past two years. 

The art show was inaugurated on October 24 under the patronage of HRH Princess Wijdan, and its doors will remain open through November 4. 

“I have been working on the human connection with nature and its four elements over the past two years, and this triggered an evolution in my inner self,” the artist told The Jordan Times in a recent interview, noting that she became “aware of the beauty of the world, and how we become all the same when we eliminate the constraints of the urban daily life”.

“I have always been fascinated by the human expression, how our faces change from happiness to sadness, the human body and its transformation — just like when a flower blossoms, we are always growing and changing, and that makes us beautiful,” she continued. 

Acrylic and pastel over corrugated cardboard are the materials used by the artist to transfer her inner evolution and ideas onto the paintings, which showcase the harmonious connection between the faces of women and the flowers in nature, with a pantone where dark and bright colours coexist. 

This exhibition’s theme strikingly differs from the artist’s last show, which was centred around the portrayal of children. However, the core elements remain the same. 

“It is still connected to nature, humanity, and the search of oneself, to find that we all belong to this universe,” Sunaij said. 

When asked about what inspires her, the artist talked about her Syrian origins, the many casualties of life, and the artists she met during her education. 

“Born in Damascus, I entered the world wide-eyed and surrounded by a big, loving family where everyone was creative. My passion for anything related to fine arts began at a very young age, and after studying literature in the University of Damascus, I left to California to follow my dream of studying art. However, after getting married to an Australian diplomat, my path changed and it took me to Egypt, and thus began my nomadic life,” Sunaij explained. 

“I was influenced by every country,” she continued, noting how her paintings carry the turquoise and yellow of Sri Lanka, and the faces of the people from Rome and Cairo.

“There is so much beauty in this world despite the current conflicts, it only depends on ourselves to be capable of seeing it or not, and it is our minds that shape our reality in the end,” the artist concluded.