Today we’d like to introduce you to Razan AlSarraf.
Hi Razan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Kuwait then moved to NYC to pursue a BFA in Fine Arts, lived and worked there for a few years then moved to LA to complete my MFA in Art. I’m currently based in LA practicing art in different forms; painting, drawing, video-making, art directing, DJ’ing and teaching.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s quite a long list of struggles when you decide to move continents and build your home and community away from the places you’re most used to. The more prominent or obvious ones would be the bureaucracy/ paperwork and effort needed to cross borders, having to prove your worth in an economic and capitalist sense, rather than what you’re able to provide for the community and culture, and, of course, racism, tokenism and the exoticism of brown fem people in “the West”.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Through painting, drawing, video, and sound art, my work attempts to reflect upon the interactions of people with land and landscape, whether socially, politically, topographically or culturally. I’m aiming to challenge notions of patriarchy and systems of power that are evident within the current and historical political landscape, infrastructure and the ongoing movements of colonization. Some of those themes appear within my work but a lot of it is weaved into the process of creating, and the research that goes behind each project or series. I draw inspiration from geology, photography, social media, the history and violence of mapmaking, the desert, and ritualistic practices indigenous to my family and Kuwait. My practice is constantly evolving but my priorities have always been the same.
How do you define success?
I’d say being able to put effort into something generative and beneficial towards my community, that also aligns with my values and skillset.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.razanalsarraf.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/razanalsarraf
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/razan-al-sarraf
Image Credits
Sarah Ibrahim, Pete Mauney
