International

A Diary of the Shatana International artist’s workshop

6th July -22nd July

By Beatrice Njoroge

_{As I arrive at Alia International Airport south of Amman, I am met by Khamis and Fadi who I understood from previous correspondence with the facilitators were to pick me up when I arrived. The weather is warm and the sun is just going down its 8.30pm. I am the first to arrive among two other participants Waheeda malullah from Bahrain and Lucas Di Pascuale from Argentina respectively. As I wait for the other two participants I’m surprised at the one thing that stands out the most I don’t see anyone who resembles me. Coming from Kenya this is quite a surprise being in a mixed race and cultural diverse country I attract some stares from people as they move about their business at the airport.}

_{As I have an hour to wait I catch up on a little history of Jordan and learn that it’s played a role in trade between east and west because of its geographic location at the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe. As Waheeda arrives and Lucas half an hour later we start our journey to Shatana which is one and half hour drive. We drive through Amman, the city lights are breathtaking but the jetlag and the long wait has taken its toil, I can barely keep my eyes open. We arrive at Shatana around midnight, introductions are made, we have a light meal and I’m ready to retire.}

_{The following morning we are formally introduced to each other and I learn that some participants are yet to arrive. We are taken to Al Houson a town 7km from Shatana. Father Imad Twal is the parish priest whose premises we were currently occupying. He speaks in Arabic. Diala Khasawnih one of Shatana organizing team translates. Ke is talking to us about the  walls of the catholic church in Al Houson  which  are covered by frescos done by Piet Gerrits in 1906- 1909. He visited the parish of a Dutch priest in Al Al Houson and stayed on for five years. He expressed his gratitude by decorating the walls with paintings using the local people as models. He got his inspiration from the scenes in the village. A unique feature in his works was the Arabic verses he added on the fresco despite not speaking the language. After the brief history of the fresco, we head back to Shatana for the afternoon presentations of various artists and their field of art.}

_{Most of the participants were conceptual artist working with installations and video art, and photography. A number are graphic designers one is an architect. My work is more traditional as I am a painter, sometimes I experiment with print making. We were all inspired by the landscape of Shatana despite being very hot, windy and dry. Shatana is a small village whose inhabitants live in other cities or have immigrated to other countries. It’s spread over a couple of hills with vine and olive trees. The artists are inspired the colour elements of the landscape.}

_{Father Imad is a collector of old doors and hangs them on walls. They became my canvas. Doors to me are a symbol of transition from one point in our lives to another, we open doors in every point of our lives to uncertainties, dreams, challenge lies in navigating through them and making the most of what life can offer. The environment was my inspiration. Elie from Lebanon made a halo with gold leaf to show the importance of the olive tree as the main source of income for the residents. Isabella used fabrics of different colors and wind for her performance piece. The residents had to pair up and run with the wind blowing into the fabric and the landscape turned into a sea of colors as the residents and participants joined in the performance.}

_{Lucas used the computer floppy disc. His installation illustrated its demise. He related it to the immigration of the residents of Shatana to other cities and countries. Maha who resides in Jordan made plaques/signs for land on sale and placed them in different locations this brought about complaints from the residents that the land was only sold to family members. Max from the UK made a video on the desolation of the land due to the quarries that surround Shatana.  Batoul S Himi from morocco used photography and mirrors as her tools for her art piece “seeing the self in others” She said, “I see myself in others no matter what their faith and origins. The others are as a mirror, as accomplices for building something together. If they are not there then the work has no meaning. This culminated with the public coming to view the works during the open day.} 

_{The workshop was an opportunity to exchange dialogue and ideas on art from our respective countries with a different group of artists from different cultural backgrounds, the common link was the art and the ideas they shared. It is through this interaction that a range of artworks was produced. At the end of an intense two weeks I cannot help but quote George Bernard Shaw who said, “Some men see things as they are and ask, “Why”? I dream things that never were and say why not?” It is my conclusion that no matter our background all artists speak the same language regardless of race or creed. Our different cultural backgrounds or language is not a barrier but an inspiration to see ourselves as similar, bent to achieving the same goals.}

^{I depart Amman. I long for those I met. Yes! I am richer and grateful for the experience.}

_{Beatrice Njoroge, is a Kenyan Artist based in Nairobi. She is part of Kuona trust artists who work at the Kuona artist studios at the GoDown arts centre.}

_{You can view Beatrices portfolio by visiting http://kenya.africancolours.net/beatrice/}

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