Haniyah Saeedi

“What is your favorite artwork?”

Curatorial Rationale

Through my art, I hope to explore how languages and expressions shape identity, communication, and cultural heritage while showcasing their beauty. Language is more than just a means of communication; it also conveys cultural history, emotional weight, and individual identity. My exhibition aims to show how language affects how we view ourselves and other people by acting as a bridge and a barrier across cultural boundaries. I want to encourage viewers to consider their own ties to language and culture while gaining a greater awareness of viewpoints that differ from their own by showcasing a wide variety of languages and artistic expressions. My display honors these distinctions rather than combining them into a one experience in a world that has become more interconnected and where cross-cultural interaction is more prevalent than ever. In addition to being distinctive to certain cultures, language and expression are also essentially linked by common human experiences, and I want my audience to leave with this understanding.

This theme is explored throughout my body of work using a range of artistic mediums, such as paint, pencil sketches, watercolor, and digital art. Every medium was specifically selected to mirror the essence of the ideas I'm investigating. While the accuracy of pencil work conveys the emotional depth and complexity of human expression, the fluidity of watercolor represents the organic and changing nature of language.By applying layers of meaning and texture, paint enables me to represent the various facets of cultural identity and communication. I emphasize the emotional and cultural nuances that are ingrained in communication by using text and symbols in many languages. Recurring themes like faces, eyes, and abstract patterns stand for the emotional and psychological effects of language on identity and communication, as well as the human relationship to language. While faces and eyes represent the emotional and intimate aspects of communication, abstract patterns represent the linguistic structures and cultural norms. My upbringing and life experiences have influenced this collection, which examines the relationship between my cultural heritage and the wider world. A major issue that demonstrates how language bears the burden of history and individual identity is the struggle and resiliency mirrored in language and expression.

My exhibition's layout aims to produce a significant advancement across the various facets of language and expression. In order to engage the audience on a personal level, it starts with more emotionally charged pieces. From there, it moves on to pieces that use written language and cultural symbols to emphasize the variety and structure of communication. The main pieces, which illustrate how language changes and connects human lives, have an emphasis on transformation and universal connection. In order to emphasize the enduring power of language and its influence on society, the show culminates with pieces that are both structured and symbolic. This well-organized conclusion illustrates how language serves as a framework that influences social and cultural systems in addition to being a tool for individuals and emotions. I want to create a flow that represents the transition from individual identification to group cultural expression by arranging the artworks in this manner. In order to promote a greater awareness of linguistic diversity, I want spectators to sense both the uniqueness of each culture and the universal human experience of language and communication.

Haniya’s Artwork

  • Essence of Tea

    Digital Art on IbisPaint,
    20cm x 20cm

    Inspired by the beauty of Turkish culture, I focused on a small yet meaningful detail: tea. Though simple, it holds deep cultural significance. I incorporated a Turkish poem in the background, emphasizing tea’s role in tradition and connection. The verse, A cup of tea, the companion of talk., reflects its warmth and heritage. I chose a blue color scheme to complement the tea’s hue, enhancing its visual harmony while honoring its cultural essence.

  • Silenced Truths

    Pencil on Paper,
    20cm x 26cm

    This artwork is a reflection of my country's state at the time—it's war, struggles, and the emotions they evoked in me. Through color, form, and composition, I expressed the turmoil and resilience I witnessed. The line at the bottom serves as a final statement, encapsulating these emotions in a simple yet powerful way. This piece is not just a visual representation but an emotional response, conveying the impact of conflict through artistic expression.

  • Islamic Garden

    Paint on Canvas,
    36cm x 50cm

    This artwork is personal to me as it reflects one of the things I hold most dear—my religion—while incorporating my journey in Arabic calligraphy. My main inspiration was calligraphy, which is why it dominates the piece, complemented by flowers in the background. The Arabic text features Surah Al-Ikhlas: “He is Allah, One... He neither begets nor is born...” I also explored a new color scheme, which unexpectedly came together, adding depth to the artwork’s meaning and composition.

  • Nature Garden

    Paint on Canvas,
    29cm x 61cm

    This artwork explores the beauty of expression through nature’s elegance, capturing the delicate grace of butterflies and the vibrant energy of flowers. Their harmonious blend in the backdrop reflects nature’s artistry. A monochromatic color scheme enhances the striking presence of orange butterflies, making them stand out as a focal point. This contrast adds depth, emphasizing how colors and forms communicate emotion and meaning within the composition.

  • Silenced Pain

    Pencil on Paper,
    20cm x 28cm

    This artwork is inspired by the state of the world today, reflecting the chaos and uncertainty of our time. So much is happening, and I chose to express this through a black-and-white composition, emphasizing contrast and emotion. The absence of color highlights the complexity of these events, allowing the focus to remain on form and meaning. Through this piece, I translate global turmoil into visual expression, capturing the weight of the present moment.

  • Beauty of France

    Digital Art on IbisPaint,
    18cm x 27cm

    I chose the Eiffel Tower as the focal point to capture the essence of French aesthetics. However, I wanted to add something more to make it unique. To offer a fresh perspective while preserving its classic elegance, I incorporated additional elements that reflect my interpretation of French culture. I also lowered the saturation, softening the colors to create a more refined look while maintaining the depth and harmony of the composition.

  • Natural Beauty

    Watercolor on Paper,
    19cm x 29cm

    For this piece, I aimed for a delicate, soft aesthetic, using watercolor and a light color scheme. Watercolor evokes the essence of Japanese art, which inspired this work. I incorporated gentle-hued flowers and a central circle, symbolizing the Japanese flag, alongside a Japanese poem: "Life, like the wind, passes swiftly. Embrace the moment, and speak of dreams." These elements blend to capture the fleeting beauty of life, expressed through subtle tones and flowing forms.

  • Bleeding Hearts

    Mixed Media,
    26cm x 31cm

    This artwork is a reflection of bleeding and hurting hearts, capturing the raw intensity of pain, healing, and resilience. The stitched heart symbolizes the strength it takes to mend emotional wounds, while the bleeding hearts embody vulnerability and the depth of human experience. Through this piece, I sought to express the complexity of emotion—its fragility and strength—revealing the beauty that arises from adversity and the courage found in the process of healing.