I am a Kurdish artist. I live in Germany, but my roots are in Mesopotamia, where the Euphrates and Tigris created fertile land. On the one hand, my art is a reflection of Kurdish society with its diversity of religions and worldviews. The focus is often on the woman, who has an ambivalent role within the multi-religious culture – sometimes as a sacrificial mother, sometimes as an emancipated woman, who fights for her rights and freedom. On the other hand, my art is also influenced by the culture of the Occident. My philosophy studies and the constant confrontation with the concept of psychē (ancient Greek ψυχή/soul) can also be found in each of my works.

I dealt with art theoretically early on, whether through intensive study of composition, color theory and art history or through copying famous artists, whereby any painting attempts based on theoretical knowledge always failed. The personal turning point in 2020 led to the wondrous flow of creativity. Zana has changed – the difference was that now I am painting with my soul (psychē) instead of my mind. The first work came about when I found an old acrylic tube in shimmery blue. With nothing in mind, I slid the brush across the watercolor paper and without thinking, I drew a dervish dancing in a trance.

– Zana Tablo

Kurdish Contemporary Artist