Since her childhood, Razan Al Jabri has been mesmerised by the rugged beauty of Wilayat Al Rustaq, where she grew up. As soon as she could grasp a pencil, she began creating drawings of peculiar creatures frolicking between the realms of reality and imagination, capturing her early wonderment at the world around her.
"I believe that art conveys a message, and I strive to let my art fulfil this role by employing expressionist and surrealist styles, focusing primarily on acrylics in my paintings," she remarked.
One of Razan's notable artworks, "Beyond the Mind,” is sure to captivate art enthusiasts, brimming with surrealist symbols. The central image features a woman's head adorned with lush green hair, resting in a decorative bowl—an emblem of female sacrifice. The calm expression on her face offers a stark contrast to the implied violence, evoking a serene stillness. Accompanying elements like an open mirror, a pearl necklace, and scattered grapes represent the squandering of pleasure and beauty, as Razan elaborated.
Furthermore, the two arches in the background “suggest the presence of unknown passages,” adding dramatic flair and establishing a balance amid the tension present in the scenes.
Razan’s artworks frequently showcase geometric patterns that evoke a sense of order and balance. Alongside this, she often draws upon motifs and symbols inspired by Arab culture, using vibrant hues of blue and red to juxtapose calmness with movement, and order with chaos. In some of her pieces, you'll discover elements that defy conventional nature, drawn with unique shapes and identities as an attempt to liberate them from natural constraints. "There are indeed rules in drawing, but an artist need not feel bound by them. For me, drawing serves as a pathway to freedom from stringent guidelines."
Razan navigates two contrasting worlds: law as her profession and art as her cherished hobby. Among the most significant challenges she faces as an artist is "the stark difference in the nature of work in both fields; law demands logical and analytical thinking, while visual art thrives on creativity and spontaneity. Furthermore, the legal profession often requires strict adherence to deadlines and prolongs working hours, which naturally reduces the time available for artistic pursuits."
To counter this, she shared that "art acts as an escape from work-related stress and allows me to articulate humanitarian and legal issues, ultimately enhancing my performance in both arenas."
For Razan, painting provides a moment of reflection and a medium through which she expresses her emotional state. "Art doesn’t always need to narrate a story; it's sufficient to let your emotions and thoughts flow into the painting,” she explained. Listening to music aids her in connecting with deeper feelings. "I've completed many books and audiobooks while working on my paintings; listening to books is one of my cherished rituals," she noted.
Sufi methodology serves as a significant source of inspiration for Razan’s artworks. "It represents a universal emotional state, not confined to any particular religion or sect, contrary to common belief. Instead, it's a sentiment that embodies love and beauty, guiding the soul through varied experiences."
Participation in art forums and events ignites the imagination of artists and encourages the creation of new works. Razan has been involved in numerous art exhibitions, with her most recent participation in the "Muscat Art" exhibition organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth last October. “Through my latest engagements, I discovered that my style resonates with a considerable audience and collectors, resulting in numerous sales of my works. I aspire to broaden my reach in art exhibitions moving forward.”
Razan believes that an artist's passion can be transformed into a viable income source by taking simple steps, aided by the internet. "This can be achieved through the creation of social media channels to showcase your art, selling digital prints, fulfilling personalised drawing commissions, collaborating with writers on book illustrations, and much more."
She encourages emerging artists to relish the journey of artistic production and not to fear making mistakes. With the wealth of tutorials available online, she emphasises the importance of setting aside time to learn and practice art regularly, as well as not shying away from sharing their work for constructive criticism and feedback. Ultimately, Razan asserts that the beauty of artwork lies in the artist's unique touch, liberated from idealistic constraints.
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