No, You Can’t Eat This: Rawan Sirry On Vivid Dreams, Pursuing Passions and Confectionery As Her Greatest Source of Inspiration
Her mouth-watering pieces are set to make their debut at World Art Dubai
Who knew art could be so yummy? Dubai-based artist Rawan Sirry certainly did. Harvesting a passion for the arts from the age of four, Rawan knew this would be her calling. After gaining experience in the world of graphic design and advertising, the Palestinian-Lebanese artist realised the need for a more dynamic outlet to let her creativity flow free.
The combination of her childhood love for art and even greater love for chocolate led her to tread the path of crafting delectable yet, unfortunately, inedible masterpieces.
With her first ever piece titled Ceci n’est pas un chocolat made public on Valentine’s Day 2022, and now her upcoming solo exhibition at World Art Dubai, Rawan remains steadily on course to show off her artistic and culinary expertise to the world, providing sensational works that are a feast to the eyes.
Harper’s Bazaar Arabia shares a look inside Rawan Sirry’s mind when it comes to crafting her deceptively appetizing sculptures.
HBA: What inspired you to combine the worlds of art and confectionery?
Rawan Sirry (RS): My passion! Combining two things that I love so much felt so natural. I was at a point in my life where I started to pay more attention to my health, I was over 40 and I understood the benefits of cutting out sugar; from longevity and inflammation to skin and digestion. After immersing myself in extensive research, I have come to a resolute decision of eliminating sugars entirely and giving up the one thing that I loved most: Chocolate!
To kick start the change, I went on an excruciating and challenging diet. Three weeks down the line, I was sitting with my kids and playing with clay, and subconsciously found myself creating a piece of chocolate out of that clay. I had created a piece of what I was craving.
I literally wanted to eat this desirable piece of art, but couldn’t! Then, I realised my craving had gone, I felt very satisfied just looking at my small art piece. The next day I created more pieces, and that was the beginning of this journey. I realised the versatility and beauty of working with clay, and started experimenting with different mediums until I created my first piece of art, through which I felt I could communicate my message to the world.
HBA: Is there a particular treat you’re fond of making as an art piece?
RS: Each piece I create is so unique. I never repeat a piece, and if I create something similar there is always a twist in order to make it special for the collector. It would be hard to tell you that I have a favourite, but what I can tell you is I’m sure my next one will be my favourite until I create the one after that. All of them are fascinating to me and I must say, what I find most surprising is how many art collectors relate to them as much as I do.
HBA: How would you describe your artistic process?
RS: Once I start with my clay, it takes me about 8 hours to fully complete each sculpture. There is so much love and passion involved in the process and I don’t usually have a fixed plan. Instead, I let the clay guide me organically, responding to its form and texture as I work. Sometimes, as I touch the clay my ideas come alive and I start to envisage the finished piece, that’s when I am building in the flow.
I then bake them which takes about an hour or two depending on the piece, after that comes all the other different mediums that I add, making them look as tempting as they do. This takes me another 24 hours. If I feel I don’t want to eat it or it doesn’t make me happy, I don’t use it. I have many of those stored in my closet.
The whole process starts again the next day. It’s quite time consuming and I work independently on it; an assistant would be no use as I don’t know what I’m creating until I make it. To create a large, love box that contains at least 64 sculptures I usually say it takes two to three months to produce – they are all handmade and all carefully positioned to create the final art piece.
HBA: Where do you look for inspiration when working on a piece?
RS: Most of my inspiration comes from my dreams, the magical world that doesn’t exist, the life in between we all wish to have. My dreams are vivid. I often wake up at four in the morning and start creating before my kids wake up. During my childhood there was a lack of candy in my life. I was told that my temptations were not allowed, that they were bad for me, so I desired them more. Now, every time I see my art, I remember that you can have what people say you cannot.
Often… mistakes always end up being the defining elements of my masterpieces. Those accidents are also a part of the inspiration and all of it is crucial to the final piece. Without it, my creations simply don’t come to life.
HBA: Lips appear quite often in your work. Is there any key significance behind this recurring motif?
RS: Yes, wouldn’t you say lips are a form of desire and temptation? They’ve always been my favourite facial feature to draw and are the central element in my pieces. I’d like to think everyone loves lips!
HBA: Do you find yourself ever facing “art block”?
RS: No, not since I started my chocolate art. I have had art block before, but it was only ever when I wasn’t passionate about what I was doing and it felt mechanical, like my time in advertising. This is the first time in my life that I experienced ‘being in the flow’ at all times, something many artists talk about. It’s a feeling I never want to lose.
To me, art block is a sign that something is wrong. On occasion, I can get stuck on creating a specific sculpture, but this is only when someone tries to direct me and tell me what they want me to make, it goes against my process and flow, and no matter how many times I try it’s like the clay talks to me, so I have learnt to listen to it and move on.
HBA: Out of all your works so far, which one do you feel is the most personal for you?
RS: My first piece. Once I completed my first piece, I realised nobody had ever done art like this before. I kept that piece as a reminder; if you believe in yourself enough, through hard work of course, you will eventually manifest your dream into reality.
HBA: Do you have a role model who you look up to in the art world?
Rawan: Yes, I look up to a lot of creators in the art world who relentlessly pursue their passion without giving up. Rick Rubin is a prime example of this—his wisdom and dedication are truly inspiring. He quotes “The more honest and vulnerable you are, the more interesting your work will be.” I believe if one stays true to oneself, even when it means taking risks or stepping out of your comfort zone, anything is possible.
HBA: What do you find the most exciting part about having your own solo exhibition at World Art Dubai?
RS: The most exciting part of having my own solo booth at World Art Dubai is the opportunity to present my work directly to an audience. I have chosen not to be represented by a gallery because I want to be in control of the narrative. The technology that exists today, either through social media or e-commerce tools means that most artists can create their own businesses and represent themselves. I tried it myself and the last year has been successful.
However prospective buyers, art lovers and the general public don’t get to see my work as often as they could if it was displayed in a gallery. When you see my art in real life it is a completely different experience that the images on my website and social media pages. I love seeing their reaction and the look in their eyes, the way they are drawn to them in person fills me with more inspiration.
HBA: What is one piece of advice you would give to aspiring artists?
RS: Don’t give up. There will be so many hurdles, and everyone has an opinion so stay true to your vision, listen, absorb but don’t ever let anyone tell you that it’s not worth the hassle.
Rawan Sirry‘s works will be exhibited at World Art Dubai 2024 from May 2-5, 2024.
To get tickets for World Art Dubai 2024, visit worldartdubai.com
Images supplied