Bazaar Belief: Effat Abdullah Fadag On Her Inspiration, Regrets and Life-Defining Moments
The artist and academic shares her journey to becoming a prominent figure in the Saudi art industry…
Effat is intrinsically linked to the flourishing modern-art movement in her native Saudi Arabia. The high profile Associate Professor of Fine Arts at the University of Jeddah, who is also a lauded curator, gives us an insight into her values
Harper’s Bazaar Arabia (HBA): Which experience in life taught you most about yourself and why?
Effat Abdullah Fadag (EAF): My scholarship journey. Pursuing my Master’s and PhD degrees in the UK gave me the fundamental basis to critically question myself, my identity and my belonging, and to understand myself.
HBA: When you were younger, what did you want to be?
EAF: I wanted to be a scientist; a biologist. I wanted to see and understand the unseen. To create and innovate and change the world.
HBA: The future is…
EAF: Always great. The future is you.
HBA: Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
EAF: My parents. They taught me to be humble, to be me and to accept myself. To challenge and be creative, and enjoy and appreciate everything in life. To keep alert and engage all my senses.
HBA: What do you still want to learn and why?
EAF: Learning is an important aspect in my life. With all the knowledge gained, there are still things that you don’t know. This gives me the power to move forward and pushes me to pursue knowledge in every field of life.
HBA: What key lessons have you learnt and who taught them to you?
EAF: My father was my idol. He taught me the important pillars in life. He taught me to be honest in everything I do. He taught me to have courage, be brave, and be honest. Honesty is the main character that will formulate anyone’s future.
HBA: What would you tell your younger self?
EAF: There are various paths you can explore to find yourself. You can reach your goals if you have the belief, discipline and knowledge to do so.
HBA: Can we have it all (and what does that mean)?
EAF: Contentment is an inexhaustible treasure. It is very difficult to define what ‘all’ means. ‘All’ can allude to what completes oneself, bringing joy and love. ‘All’ can be associated with the material world. If you don’t have the qinaeuh [mindset of belief] of what is there for you, you will never be able to appreciate all that you have in your life. ‘All’ to me is family, love and commitment.
HBA: What part of your work are you most proud of?
EAF: Being able to work with a variety of universities and organisations. I am very proud of working with individuals from different backgrounds and generations. Being mentored by them in all aspects of my life and career.
HBA: What life-defining moment changed the way you think about everything?
EAF: When I had my daughter and son. The responsibility of raising and developing these two beings has been a life-changing experience.
HBA: Who or what feeds your soul?
EAF: Love, joy and relationships
HBA: Biggest regret?
EAF: I do not have regrets. I believe everything is good, if you surrender to God. You may hate a thing although it is good for you, and may love a thing although it is evil. Maybe you don’t know if this is good for you.
HBA: What inspires you most about your job?
EAF: What inspires me is that you can make a mark and don’t wait for anyone else to do it for you. There is no right and wrong. An organic structure develops along the way and you have to have the courage and knowledge to find these paths.
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s May 2022 issue.