By Sekka
Silk- satin scarves designed by Ruqiaya Mazar are the first products of Mazar Studio. Image by Tariq Al Hajri.
‘I know what my community needs, and I provide that,’ that’s how Omani illustrator and conceptual artist Ruqaiya Mazar explains the reason behind establishing Mazar Studio in Muscat, Oman, earlier this year.
Mazar Studio, as the artist describes it, is a ‘space that provides art workshops, exhibitions for emerging artists and offers a variety of products that are made 100 per cent by the artists based in the studio.’
Omani artist Ruqaiya Mazar. Image by Tariq Al Hajri
In fact, the first products produced by the studio depict Mazar’s illustrations on silk-satin scarves. The line of scarves features a series of conceptual illustrations inspired by the process where endings begin.
‘It’s the phase preceded by a phase of trials of shaping oneself according to the place and people around them. It is when one finds themselves confused and weak only to realise that they should start over,’ she explains. ‘In a way, the scarves line celebrates the courage of following one’s true essence.’
The symbolism of this phase is evident on the 80 by 80 centimetres scarves that are available for sale in the studio. The leaves symbolise transition, the triangles symbolise relationships and the hands symbolise realisation, describes the artist.
Silk-satin scarves featuring illustrations by Ruqaiya Mazar. Image by Ruqaiya Mazar
Mazar is one who believes that it is essential to work with fellow artists, and has collaborated with Omani artists Tariq Al Hajri and Marwa Al Bahrani on the scarves’ photoshoot campaign, where the different symbols illustrated on the scarves, such as the fish and the pomegranate, are used as photoshoot props.
Ruqaiya Mazar is a believer in working with other creatives. These images were taken by Omani creative Marwa Al Bahrani, and depict the models holding elements of symbols illustrated on the scarves. Images by Marwa Al Bahrani.
With most of the quantity sold out, the artist looks forward to launching new products soon by her and artists from her studio.
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