- 0475 37 66 90
- info@thebirdwing.be
Menu
Sidrah Hakim is more than just a talented artist; she is a multifaceted individual whose life and work are deeply intertwined. In this exclusive interview, we delve into the mind and heart of this extraordinary person. We explore her artistic journey, from early inspirations to groundbreaking creations. Discover the challenges and triumphs that have shaped her unique perspective and how she balances her roles as an artist, mother, daughter, and friend. Juggling the demands of a creative career with the responsibilities of family life can be a daunting task. Sidrah shares insights into how she maintains a healthy work-life balance and finds inspiration amidst the chaos of everyday life.
Her work often reflects a deep spiritual connection. We delve into the role of spirituality in her artistic process and how it influences her choice of themes and techniques. Life’s obligations often lead us astray from our true passions. However, Sidrah found the courage to listen to her inner voice and return to her artistic path. This journey of self-discovery has not only enriched her life but also inspired countless others to follow their dreams.
As a child, I was always drawn to painting. I still remember my favorite class in school would be the painting lesson. I began my journey with painting in 1993, as a student and it was in 1995 that I completed my first ever oil painting. I would go to my painting class at 6 in the morning and paint till 7:00, clean up my workstation and rush to college by 7:30 am. That’s when my first lecture would begin.
Although I would paint, it was always looked upon as a hobby by my family and friends. And I did not consider myself an artist either. I did it because it made me happy.
However, life happened, by that I mean, completing my education, getting married, having children, etc etc my world revolved around that routine. I gave up painting when I got married for the longest time. Almost 12 years. And suddenly something got into me one day and I began again. The first painting after this break was PEACOCK’S TAIL in 2011 and I haven’t stopped painting since then.
I realized then that sometimes we may get derailed from our path but this thing called DESTINY finds a way to catch up to us.
It is with this realization I understood that just as Life is a Journey, so is my ART, and subsequently, every painting of mine is a journey in that phase of my life. I started to express my personal journey through my paintings.
My teacher was very senior ( as an artist and in age as well). He was a man who hardly ever spoke. He made me sketch and sketch and sketch for almost 3 years. I would beg him if I could paint and he would just smile and tell me to continue sketching. He made sure I learnt how to shade every sketch effectively. How to get the proportions right of the facial features, the fingers, the human figure, measure distance using a pencil and interpret the vision. Understand the effect of light and how the colors change in different times of the day and much more.
He set my foundation to understand art as I know it today, I would say. It was after 3 years and a lot of pestering that we began my first ever painting. I chose a simple landscape and my strokes were so basic. I realized the difference between using a pencil and a paintbrush and it blew me away. Nevertheless I knew this was something I would never be able to give up, and thus began my journey.
In the 30 years that I have dedicated to my art, I realized that the many phases of my life from being a wife to a mother, a friend, daughter, etc I forgot about myself. It is through my art that I realized that I am able to express myself, not fully understanding what it is I am expressing. But one common ground was that, at the beginning of each painting, I would use the process of beginning a new painting to reason out or make peace with whatever the situation or challenge I was facing at the time.
And by the time my painting would be over, I would reach a certain peaceful state. That’s when I would know that that particular painting is done. I would subconsciously choose a subject of what it is I am seeking through that Chaos. Eg. If I chose a landscape, I was looking for some kind of freedom. Similarly, a Seascape would allow me to dive deep or to get to the root of the situation. With A spiritual painting, I was just in a peaceful state. With An abstract, I would dissect the issue in tiny pieces and make sense of the situation by the end of the painting.
Crossroads happened at a time when my life was transitioning in a huge way. I had just moved to Germany with my younger son in August 2022, Yet it was not a 100 % move. I would constantly travel between Germany and India. In that phase, I experienced a lot of confusion as to which direction my life was headed, and that is not a good headspace to be in.
I knew I would eventually have to decide to stay for a longer period of time in one of the locations. I just did not know which country it would be. I think that is what being at crossroads feels like. The universe presents you with not one or two, but with all the possible options and watches carefully as to which choice you make. But I realized the true choice is to always choose the universe. Just surrender. I am very attached to CROSSROADS. That painting has completely changed my life.
When I was nominated for the FRSA, by Mark Walmsley who I was introduced to by Vincent Messelier ( my mentor and coach), I had no idea that I would be accepted. I just took a chance. And as fate would have it, I was accepted. At first, I was surprised and as I accepted the reality, I started to gather all my artistic ambitions with a calm mind. As a person, I have always believed in giving. That’s just how the universe works I think. And I realize that one can only give when their cup is full.
Being a Fellow of the Royal Society Of Arts, I have a vision to contribute to the underprivileged in the best way that I can and I strongly believe my Art will make it possible. The platform will not only open doors to make it happen, but also aid in my personal growth as a human being. I am hoping to help some lost souls along the way if I can with my paintings.
I have always been passionate about the history of Art, and being a curious person by nature, I am always researching about some topic or the other. Along with my ongoing research on how I believe art is directly connected to the development of the Human mind, I started to develop a strong urge to study the temples of India and Vietnam, since the oldest temples were built in these countries. Being born in a Hindu family, the ideology of deities and the faith that the people have in their worship drove me to dig deeper to understand the significance and importance of how this belief plays in their lives spiritually.
The curiosity to understand the significance of the AUM ( which also is believed to be the sound of the universe) and its connection with Lord Shiva is the reason for this study. I look forward to uncovering the secrets hidden within these temples. I have visited many temples growing up and somewhere in the back of my mind, the spiritual energy always lingered. I think it is this energy that reflects in all my paintings even though the themes vary from the historical structures.
I had a vision when I began Wrigglingworm Studio. It spanned beyond what one can imagine. I envisioned Wrigglingworm as not only being a center for ART, but expanding to all artistic endeavors ranging from theatre to animation and maybe even producing movies in the future. But the name was a no-brainer for me.
Wrigglingworm is my Older son. He is what they call a Gifted Child ( high IQ) and is creative beyond imagination at the same time. As a child he could never sit still. He was hyperactive and always upto some mischief or the other. All our friends would say he is as active as a worm.
Therefore the name WRIGGLINGWORM STUDIO. I hope to leave a legacy behind.
The gift that the Universe has given me is that I can create my Art in any place. Although It is my desire and wish to have a studio space of my own. I can paint anywhere, as long as I have some paint equipment with me. The inspiration always comes from my soul. Whatever it is that I am feeling, I paint it. I go with the feeling, right from choosing the theme to the colors to use.
When I first started to paint, I was just a teenager. My life was very simple. Study, spend time with friends and family and paint. Therefore all the subjects of all my paintings were simple too. Mostly encompassing landscapes with blue skies, trees and lakes or rivers. As Life took over after my marriage, the colors and themes changed drastically with my paintings.
The colors were darker and the themes were more intense yet peaceful due to the energy of calmness I would put into my process. Today, my colors are more sober. The themes revolve around the journey of the soul. The paintings call the onlookers to dive deep into their own souls and listen to their own whispers. I feel, with age, as I have matured so have the themes of my paintings.
I would definitely tell my younger self that Life will happen anyway as it happens to the best of us. Do not put aside your passion for anything or anyone. One of the regrets I have is that I took a break for 12 years from the thing that gave me the most peace.
My advice to all emerging artists would be ‘to be true to their inner journey’. It is this authenticity that the universe will receive and give back tenfold. And if they can find the time, develop a curiosity about the history of Art. It will go a long way in their personal journeys, not only with their art but also develop a profound understanding of life.
Copyright © 2024 TheBirdwing. All Rights Reserved.
EN 
NL