The Door’s Secret – Artist Maisa Shaldan
The Inheritor's Will, courtesy of Maisa Shaldan
Maisa Shaldan, a Saudi visual artist with Palestinian roots, and recipient of the 2023 Misk Grant, is always working towards expressing the depth of time and its psychological and philosophical influences. Through her art, she explores cultural legacy, societal memory, and their human and environmental imprint. With a degree in Islamic studies and a master's in educational psychology counselling, she works as an educational and family counsellor too.
As you observe her artistic endeavours, witnessing the metamorphosis of rusty iron scraps into intricate artworks, you're transported into a realm of experimental installations. Maisa deftly intertwines strands of sensory experimentation through interconnected metal pieces, symbolising the boundless social tapestry.
Through her art, Maisa guides observers on epic journeys, delving into the depths of history by reframing tales of survival and evolution. Her works seamlessly weave together artistic beauty and profound philosophical contemplation, revealing the mysteries of time and humanity.
In a fascinating interview with Ithrayeat magazine, Maisa describes her lifelong passion for art, which began in childhood. And despite her career as a counsellor, she remained devoted to art. Reflecting on her journey, she shares, "My passion for the arts led me to pursue a Visual Arts Diploma at Bexhill University in 2015, a decision I made at forty. It allowed me to temporarily step away from counselling to focus on my art studies; a fulfilling endeavour."
"THE GATE OF GOODNESS" is a piece inspired by the city of Hurghada in Egypt. Courtesy of Maisa Shaldan
Maisa believes that art is not just a part of her life, it is all of her life and her way of thinking. She believes art provides answers through contemplation and considers it her path to understanding not only herself but also the world. It sustains her being, ignites her imagination, and allows her to experiment, explore, and delve into her identity. Art intertwines with her life in numerous ways, driving her constant search for new avenues to broaden her artistic horizons and evolve as an artist. She is grateful for the profound impact of art on her life.
Despite life's demands, art sweeps away the dust of everyday existence, rejuvenating the soul and enabling it to face a new day. Maisa observes, "Art has the power to articulate the intricate emotions individuals harbour but struggle to voice. It offers a means of catharsis, and allows for introspection and the cultivation of keen insights into one's thoughts and feelings."
Maisa's artistry thrives on innovation, as she explores unconventional mediums like metals, handcrafted paper, gypsum, and natural colours to capture the Earth's beauty. She sees these materials as authentic tools, rooted in the Earth's essence, and reflecting humanity's ancient connection with nature. Through meticulous analysis and symbolic use, her work embodies both her Saudi and Palestinian heritage, employing symbols like rust, geometric shapes, nails, rings, and intricate mental images to convey the authenticity in human thought and legacy.
She further explains, "All my works prompt the viewer to interpret the transitional states between concepts, events, and objects. It's like interpreting the state or region between yes and no, between the door and what lies beyond it, between dream and hope, between dream and awakening, between solidity and flexibility, between the tangible and the intangible, between the perceived and the imperceptible, between stability and movement, between the old and the new, between the acquired and the inherited, or between everything that has passed and everything that is yet to come."
The Inheritor's Will, 2023. Courtesy of Maisa Shaldan
The piece titled "The Inheritor's Will," showcased at the 2023 Misk Grant Exhibition, endeavours to decode the significance behind the ornamental details and writings embellishing the historic mud-brick structures' communal spaces throughout Saudi Arabia. Maisa employed interlinked and pliable sections of oxidised iron in this composition, distinguished by their traditional motifs and adornments. Reflecting on the significance of these markings, Maisa observes, "The gypsum embellishments serve as an artistic element that has long been utilised to perpetuate and convey local customs. These inscriptions and adornments can be likened to a language, albeit one without words. Gypsum tracery adorns men's gatherings and coffee shops, gypsum tracery unveils a wealth of symbolic narratives encompassing cultural, religious, social, and economic themes, thereby serving as a conduit connecting cultural traditions and heritage from yesteryears to the present."
This artwork serves as a testament to preserving the heritage and inherited wealth of customs and traditions, reaching the observer as they traverse through the piece.
Maisa noted that during her journey working on this project, she observed that ancestors crafted two-dimensional sculptures inspired by botanical motifs, Arabic calligraphy, and geometric shapes. This departure from the three-dimensional sculptures found in Greek culture, often depicting human or animal figures, was influenced by religious considerations. It's as if they left us a testament to take from evolution what aligns with and complements our beliefs and enhances our identity.
The Inheritor's Will, 2023. Courtesy of Maisa Shaldan
The theme of the door as a symbol closely aligns with the artist's style, often appearing in her works through the play of transparencies and shadows, and exploring the concept of being in-between and the idea of the open door and what lies beyond.
Regarding her artwork "Cocoon," Maisa explained: "I crafted this cocoon from palm fibers as a multi-sensory interactive experience. Viewers can enter and reflect or hide inside, like hiding in the womb of the earth, allowing for a moment of new beginning away from the city's hustle. The cocoon, where profound transformations occur, symbolizes this journey. Entering it feels like being embraced by the earth, and emerging from it evokes a sense of renewal.”
Capturing the essence of this edition, she adds: “Essentially, my artwork features a door that opens and closes for everyone who enters"
Cocoon. Courtesy of Maisa Shaldan
