Interview | Naima Morelli

Published! Gerald Leow’s Perpetual Motion on Plural Art Mag

31-01-2022

English, Interview, Published, Singapore, Singapore Series

Can machines create value? And do objects have meaning if there are no humans around to experience them?

These are the questions that Singapore artist Gerald Leow has been grappling with in the past few months. If you’re based in Singapore, you might have seen his latest work while walking by Marina Bay Sands. Called Perpetual Motion, it’s a series of column-like sculptures with reflective surfaces that appear to be in constant dialogue with the skyscrapers on the bay.

I have to say that Gerald is one of my favourite Singaporean artists, and I have been following his work since 2015. Plural Art Mag has just published my article on his new exhibit:

Here is the link to the piece

Published! Interview with Hani Zurob on MEMO

By: Naima Morelli

26-01-2022

English, Interview, Middle East, Published

My latest piece for Middle East Monitor explores the work of Paris-based Gaza-born artist Hani Zurob.

In his latest series, “ZeftTime” the artist uses tar and broken glass to harrowing effect, as a metaphor for a shattered society. The works seems to suggest that amid tragedy there is no time to think and make up a narrative around what is happening; there is only the absolute presence of the emergency.

“This is the law of time,” Zurob points out. “Every passing moment is a new opportunity for a complete change.”

Here is the link to the piece

Published! Interview with Richie Nath on Plural Art Mag

By: Naima Morelli

18-12-2021

Burma, Interview, Published

Singapore-based webmagazine Plural has just published my interview with Burmese painter Richie Nath, also known as Richie Htet.

In the colourfully alluring world of the artist presents us with archetypes fit for our times. His acrylics show us powerful women exuding that hard, action-focused yang energy and male characters not afraid of melting into a softer, more compassionate yin expression.

Here is the link to the interview

Published! Zawyeh Gallery in Dubai on Al-Monitor

By: Naima Morelli

01-12-2021

Interview, Middle East, News, Published, Research

The webmagazine Al-Monitor has just published my piece on Palestinian gallery Zawyeh founded in 2013 in Ramallah, which recently relocated to Dubai.

Here is the link to the piece

Published! Interview with Libyan artist Shefa Salem on MEMO

By: Naima Morelli

24-11-2021

English, Interview, Libya, News, Published, Research

In the show “I am Libya”, painter Shefa Salem presents outstanding canvases, demonstrating that the public is eager to learn about the ancient history of Libya

What does it mean to be Libyan? How to reconstruct a sense of belonging for the country and its people, starting from the deepest roots of Libyan culture, while preserving diversity?

These are the questions that artist, Shefa Salem, is grappling with for her first solo show I am Libya, which took place a few weeks ago in the Barah Arts and Culture Centre in Benghazi and will travel to Tripoli’s old city at the beginning of December.

I have interviewed the artist for Middle East Monitor.

Here is the link to the interview

Published! The Balinese art scene on Plural Art Mag

By: Naima Morelli

16-11-2021

English, Indonesia, Interview, Published, Research

The Singaporean art magazine Plural has just published my latest piece called “Is there a silver lining to the lack of tourism for the Balinese art scene?”

Here I’m interviewing the directors of three different art spaces, Cush Cush Gallery, Kayu, Ketemu and V-Room, to garner their experience with the pandemic shifts in the art scene, and how this is affecting artists and art spaces alike.

Here is the link to the article

Published! Lebanese Feminist comic book on Middle East Eye

By: Naima Morelli

04-11-2021

English, Interview, Middle East, News, Published, Research

My fifth piece for Middle East Eye is about a Lebanese comic book which tells forgotten stories of country’s feminist struggle. Called ‘Where to, Marie?’, this comic book distils a century of overlooked feminist battles through the stories of five fictional characters. I have interviewed the authors.

Here is the link to the piece

Published! Interview with Palestinian artist Hazem Harb on MEMO

By: Naima Morelli

11-10-2021

Interview, Italy, Middle East, News, Published

Palestinian artist Hazem Harb [Hazem Harb]

“Palestinian artist Hazem Harb doesn’t try to define the idea of Palestine in his work. “For me, Palestine just is,” he tells me. “I’m interested in its history and nationalism, but I don’t dwell on them by making straightforward political art. In my work, I’m trying to represent the hidden narratives of Palestine and leave room for individual memories and personal stories to come through.” “

The webmagazine Middle east Monitor has just published my interview with Palestinian artist Hazem Harb.

Here is the link to the interview

Published! Interview with Haffendi Anuar on Plural

By: Naima Morelli

21-09-2021

English, Interview, Malaysia, Published

The show Rintagan (Resistance) at Richard Koh Fine Art presents works that don’t come from the mind, but rather from a physical involvement with painting materials. They were first inspired by the virtual realm: “I took pictures from Instagram, and then cropped some details,” explains Haffendi. “So it’s going from the virtual, to the IRL, then – being this an online show – to the virtual again.”

My interview with Malaysian artist Haffendi Anuar has been published on Plural Art Mag.

Here is the link to the interview

Published! Interview with collector Christoph Bendick

By: Naima Morelli

30-08-2021

Cambodia, Collection, English, Interview, Published

A collection can represent many different things; it can be a statement, contribution, research, even a love story. In the case of retired German doctor, Christoph Bendick, who has worked in Phnom Penh for 25 years, it’s the story of an encounter with a country whose painful recent history is interlaced with the resilience and strength of its people.

I have interviewed the collector for the Singapore-based magazine Plural.

Here is the link to the interview

Interview with Océane Sailly founder of Hunna/ هُنَّ on MEMO

By: Naima Morelli

27-08-2021

Interview, Middle East, News, Published, Research

Océane Sailly, Founder and Director of HUNNA / هُنَّ in front of Alia's Zaal painting

Many of us have misconceptions and preconceived ideas about the art scene in the Gulf countries. Hence, when we see the work of a gallery like Hunna/ هُنَّ — founded this year and representing eight women artists from the Gulf — we open our eyes in disbelief.

How can these artists possibly talk about such thorny issues, like questions of power or the female body, and get away with it? We speak about it on Middle East Monitor with the founder of Hunna, gallerist Océane Sailly

Here is the link to the interview

Published! Interview with Luciano Benetton on Larry’s List

By: Naima Morelli

26-08-2021

Collection, Interview, Italy, Published

Installation view of the Imago Mundi Collection.

My second article for the collector’s webmagazine Larry’s List is an interview to Italian fashion mogul and collector Luciano Benetton.

Dubbed “Imago Mundi”, his collection and world-wide project spans from New Zealand to Burkina Faso, covering 80 countries for a total of over 10,000 artworks.

Here is the link to the interview

Naima Morelli

Published! Gerald Leow’s Perpetual Motion on Plural Art Mag

Published! Interview with Hani Zurob on MEMO

Published! Interview with Richie Nath on Plural Art Mag

Published! Zawyeh Gallery in Dubai on Al-Monitor

Published! Interview with Libyan artist Shefa Salem on MEMO

Published! The Balinese art scene on Plural Art Mag

Published! Lebanese Feminist comic book on Middle East Eye

Published! Interview with Palestinian artist Hazem Harb on MEMO

Published! Interview with Haffendi Anuar on Plural

Published! Interview with collector Christoph Bendick

Interview with Océane Sailly founder of Hunna/ هُنَّ on MEMO

Published! Interview with Luciano Benetton on Larry’s List

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