The Art of Photography by Dana Murtada

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At the age of 23, Lebanese artist Dana Murtada has already carved out a distinct niche in the artistic landscapes of both Kuwait, where she was raised, and her home country. Murtada has molded a rich tapestry of experiences through her lens, with a portfolio that encompasses photography, architecture and graphic design. Ahead of her anticipated exhibition “The People We’ll Be (In the Spaces Between)” set to open at the Art District from September 12 to October 14, we delve into Murtada’s artistic philosophies and the journey that fostered her imaginative visual language.

Driven by an intrinsic need to document her surroundings and experiences, Murtada discovered her penchant for photography early on. A self-professed preservationist of memories, she points to a familial inclination towards documentation as a fundamental inspiration, one deeply influenced by her father’s similar proclivities. This desire to remember, paired with the formative exploration of her creativity during childhood, has coalesced to create her vivid and evocative artistic vision.

With a portfolio that reads like a poetic ode to nostalgia, Murtada’s work often positions light as not just an element, but a subject in itself, presenting it as an entity that communicates with the viewer. The result is a dreamlike photographic style, characterized by a sense of gentleness and buoyancy, a style where light illuminates and tells a story, offering a narrative that is both ethereal and grounded in human experience.

As she prepares to unveil her latest exhibition, Murtada elaborates on the driving force behind it – a deep-seated curiosity about the human interaction with spaces. She explains that this exhibition is an expedition into the subconscious relationship people foster with the environments they inhabit. Leveraging her background in architecture, she brings to life a narrative where spaces evolve into characters, engaging in a symbiotic relationship with humans, marked by an unspoken yet palpable exchange of stories and experiences. In this endeavor, Murtada aims to make the intangible tangible, using photography as a vessel to capture the lingering human essence in architectural spaces.

Navigating the current Lebanese art landscape, Murtada identifies a crucial role for artists and photographers in challenging the dominant narratives set by the prevailing political climate. Through her lens, Murtada seeks to document the true pulse of Lebanon, one that is firmly rooted in the nuanced tapestry of individual human experiences. In her view, photography emerges as a medium which is resilient against abstraction, offering an authentic and deeply personal gateway into the Lebanese human soul.

To young enthusiasts eager to embark on a photographic journey, Murtada offers sage advice rooted in personal exploration and understanding. Encouraging budding artists to immerse themselves in the medium, she urges them to embark on a deeply personal voyage of discovery. Murtada sees the act of photography not merely as capturing images but as a profound exercise in understanding and interpreting the rich, deep and heavy realities bound to the Lebanese identity.

As Murtada stands on the threshold of a new chapter in her artistic journey, she is a beacon of inspiration, urging aspiring photographers to nurture their inherent creativity, to be guided by authenticity, and to find solace and peace in the personal haven of artistry.

For further insights into Dana Murtada’s artistic journey, click here.