“ I will allow myself to feel first, to think later,
Explore first, observe later,
Enjoy the process,
Analyze the outcome and results.”
– A poem by Tasneem El Meshad
When you walk into Safar Khan, you are met with Tasneem El Meshad’s inner most thoughts and feeling in her newest exhibition, Becoming. This collection offers an intimate and candid look into her lived and shared experiences. Her visual language is bold, original, and emotional. Tasneem crafts a captivating interplay between two- and three-dimensional elements, intertwining geometric precision with organic fluidity. Her unique approach showcases her technical skill. Also, it mirrors her multifaceted identity—as a woman, artist, daughter, mother, and most importantly, as an individual.
The Theme Behind Becoming:
Becoming reads like a visual diary, chronicling her life. Each piece is a meditation on her most significant life events. Her art encapsulates a range of emotions from the agony of loss to the warmth of nostalgia. Tasneem says, “Each painting has its own memory. Each painting has its own memory.” The sorrow of losing a parent resonates deeply within her work, juxtaposed against the joy of motherhood and the tender memories of childhood—those fleeting moments that linger like a cherished sanctuary in the mind. She talked about her favorite piece of the collection, “This painting represents a family’s home. It includes everything that I have lived through when my father was still alive”
The name of the exhibition Becoming came to her after the realization that she now views her life as one big story. In comparison, her pervious collection were strings that tied into a big story. But with her newest exhibition, she is celebrating her story- the whole story.
Tasneem also uses her art to highlight Palestine and the Palestinian story. In her collection of miniatures, she features a Palestinian mother and daughter reimagined in a world where Palestinian life is untouched by conflict. She uses these pieces to reflect her emotional impact by the ongoing war in Palestine.
The Power of Colors:
Her vibrant color palette—a blend of bold, optimistic hues—captures the essence of contrast. She balances light and dark, joy and sorrow. This interplay becomes a visual representation of her journey from childhood through womanhood to motherhood, symbolized by playful figures frolicking among her abstract structures. These figures echo her internal dynamics, embodying the dual role of the parent-artist paradox.
At the heart of Tasneem’s art lies a profound exploration of identity and belonging. The recurring motif of a carefree young girl serves as a reminder of the innate duality within us all, reflecting the tension between childlike wonder and adult responsibility. It is this intricate balance that fuels her creative process, inviting viewers to engage with the multifaceted layers of human experience. Tasneem accredits this joy to her youngest daughter, Amena. She joyfully explained, “Amena is present in a lot of my work. She is the little girl that brings so much joy in our lives, and yet brings responsibilities.”