Field Review | Artist Interview Series
In conversation with
Balqees Aesar Al Jaramani
I am Balqees Aljaramani, a contemporary Syrian visual artist, sculptor, and researcher. My academic and passionate journey began with a core focus on sculpture. I graduated with a distinguished graduation project titled "The Seven Formations," which received an 83% grade. The project explored profound human conditions through a Cubist lens, balancing mass, space, and the interplay between raised and sunken surfaces. Later, I expanded my academic experience by teaching the practical section as a lecturer for one academic semester at the Second Faculty of Fine Arts in Suwayda. Alongside my studio practice, I work professionally in graphic design, visual identity branding, and social media management for various local and international clients, adding a contemporary digital dimension to my artistic toolkit. I have participated in numerous notable local and international exhibitions, and recently won the "Best Artist" award in the Open Theme exhibition at No.35 Gallery, which has paved the way for my upcoming debut solo exhibition with them.
From:
Syria
Artist Statement
I have always viewed art as a safe haven where we can express our souls with the utmost honesty and emotion. My artistic practice is rooted in the belief that visual art is not merely isolated aesthetics, but a powerful voice and a tool to spread a culture of love, peace, and freedom. My mission is to seek absolute truth and document human memory, evolving my tools from foundational sculpting materials like clay, gypsum, and metal, to incorporating unconventional contemporary elements such as shattered mirrors and wool threads. My works do not offer direct commentary; instead, they are deeply centered on human rights and born directly from the surrounding realities. This transforms the exhibition space into an interactive sanctuary that evokes contemplation and confronts reality.
Tell us about yourself and your artistic background.
Growing up, my artistic passion was deeply tied to mass and space, which led me to specialize in sculpture as the foundation of my career. My most significant academic milestone was my graduation project, "The Seven Formations," which scored 83%. In this project, I embodied complex human conditions through a Cubist perspective, deeply exploring the contrast and intersection between protruding and recessed surfaces. Following my graduation, I had an inspiring academic experience teaching the practical side of fine arts for one semester at the Second Faculty of Fine Arts in Suwayda. I reinforced this academic foundation with extensive studio practice and professional work in graphic design and branding for clients both inside and outside Syria, creating a unique balance between traditional and digital visual arts.
How would you describe your artistic practice?
My artistic practice is an ongoing, evolving exploration of the essence of materials and surfaces. I begin with clay as the primary foundation of sculpture, representing an immediate connection to the earth and origins, and then move towards gypsum and metal to create prominent structures that challenge space. In an effort to constantly develop my tools, I introduced contrasting materials with distinct textures and meanings; shattered mirrors that reflect fractured visions, and wool threads that weave warmth, connection, and hope into the canvas. This blend allows me to move fluidly between high-relief sculpture and installation art.
What themes or ideas are most important in your work?
The human condition is the solid core around which my entire body of work revolves. I am deeply invested in the duality of vulnerability and strength, as well as the concepts of freedom and the pursuit of peace. I focus heavily on opposing violence and building collective memory to document the harsh experiences that societies endure, such as women's rights, victims of conflict, and minority struggles. My ultimate goal is to present art as a mirror of absolute truth and a genuine sanctuary that unites people under a shared message of love and peace.
What inspires your creative process?
My primary inspiration comes from my surrounding circumstances and lived reality, with all its narratives and contradictions. I am inspired by silent human stories, the details of weary faces, and the incredible human capacity to remain resilient despite being broken. This profound impact translates in my studio into an immediate dialogue with my materials; a crack in a mirror or the tension of a wool thread becomes a direct visual translation of genuine emotions and experiences that I seek to preserve from oblivion.
Can you tell us about a recent artwork or project?
Recently, I was honored to win the "Best Artist" award in the Open Theme exhibition at No.35 Gallery, following my participation with them in a group exhibition titled "Flora". Currently, my full focus is dedicated to preparing for my first solo exhibition with the gallery. I will be presenting my series "Fractured Vision," which is a sculptural body of work that merges gypsum, metal, and broken mirrors to create a contemporary expressive experience reflecting on resilience.
What challenges have influenced your development as an artist?
The greatest challenge has been maintaining the authenticity of my artistic message while surrounded by conflict and difficult realities. Transforming painful emotions and collective trauma into an indirect, profound visual language is a continuous test of the self. Furthermore, balancing the commercial demands of graphic design with the physical dedication required in a sculpture studio has pushed me to better organize my creative energy, allowing each field to enrich the other.
What role does art play in your life today?
Art is not just a profession or a hobby; it is my true identity and absolute reality. It is my personal shield to face the world, and the only safe haven where I can convey messages of love, freedom, and peace without boundaries. Art is how I breathe and make sense of the world around me, and it is the way I leave my lasting mark and footprint in this existence.
What are you currently working on?
In addition to putting the final touches on my upcoming solo exhibition with No.35 Gallery, I am currently working on a vital humanitarian art project titled "Living Shards" (Shazaya Hayya). This work is dedicated to honoring the memory of the victims of the minority massacre in Suwayda, exemplifying how art can serve as a historical and solidarity document for my community. Simultaneously, I am preparing for my next academic milestone to pursue a Master's degree in Applied Arts to expand both my theoretical and practical research.
What are your future goals as an artist?
My constant goal is to continue promoting art and expanding my creative tools and mediums, ensuring my work leaves a distinct imprint and a genuine impact on the contemporary art world. I aim to represent just human causes on broader international platforms, and I hope my upcoming Master's research will offer new perspectives bridging the authenticity of sculpture with contemporary applied arts techniques.
Where can readers follow your work?
Art enthusiasts, curators, and critics can follow my latest works, upcoming exhibition updates, and visual identity projects through my Behance portfolio and my official social media channels.
Instagram: @alj.balqees
Facebook: balqees aljaramani
Behance: balqees aljaramani
Email: balqeesaljaramani@gmail.com
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Balqees Aesar Al Jaramani
