Artist Profile Weeda Hamdan

Artist Statement

When Spring arrived this year, I was astonished to see Evening Primrose in the park behind our home.

Each day, I would rush to check if they were still there, and to my delight, they spread even more vibrantly, bringing with them a variety of life: bees, butterflies, dragonflies, and other creatures that filled me with so much joy. Despite my constant wary of the looming threat of mowing machines, I cherished every moment of their beauty, hoping they would fade naturally.

In a rush to beat their approaching fate, I worked outside, utilizing house paint and coarse salt as a foundation to speed up the drying process and anchor the flowing paint in place. The salt created wrinkles and buildup in the paint, giving the Evening Primrose a three-dimensional look against the background or field. Afterward, I painted with oil sticks over the scene as if strolling through the field.

This experience made me reflect on these wildflowers and our united longing for thriving ecosystems. Can we allow nature to flourish?

Artist Biography

My artistic journey began in a bunker during a period of intense conflict. I found solace in sketching, using pencil and paper to capture moments of hope amidst turmoil. This experience has taken me to different parts of the world, presenting unique challenges that have shaped my perspective and deepened my connection to ordinary places.

As I sought refuge and explored unfamiliar landscapes, I developed the ability to find wonder in everyday scenes, using my art to reveal hidden beauty in unexpected places. In my North Texas home, my backyard is not just a natural landscape but a reflection of my inner journey and a metaphor for the forces shaping our lives.

My work continues to explore the transformative power of creativity, connecting the past and present, the familiar and the unknown, and highlighting the beauty of resilience and adaptation.