At just 19 years old, Maryam Zuhair has publicly exhibited her first collection of paintings, ‘Mother Nature’s Creation’ in Craigieburn.
Zuhair said she never imagined she would see her artwork displayed in a public gallery.
“As my first exhibition I am really proud of it, I didn’t imagine these paintings would be in a gallery in my own section,” Zuhair said.
She said she started painting at 13 years old, but learnt the way on her own, rather than in school.
“When I was little I didn’t do art, I never even picked up a brush,” she said.
Zuhair said she is slowly discovering her style by experimenting with different techniques.
“I like nature but I tried to implement different things like drama elements.
“With watercolours you can make things abstract and imaginary and not real, if you put your brush on the paper and mess around.
“You can also be messy with acrylic, I like that, because you can be free.”
Zuhair said when she is inspired by a picture, she won’t copy it exactly.
“I saw a picture and was inspired by its colours, and thought I could change the background and composition of the flowers.
“I am discovering slowly that realism is not my style, I like when paintings contain elements from imagination.
“I just think there is a camera and pictures for realism, with paintings you can express your imagination and be more creative.”
She said she has started to experiment with creating art nouveau ceramics and Rembrandt-inspired impressionism pieces.
“Maybe for the next exhibition I will change the theme, moving from nature to still life or change the style to more impressionism.
“It makes me glad that people know that my paintings are out there, they’ve seen it and enjoyed it.”
Zuhair’s paintings will be on display at the Gee Lee-Wik Doleen Gallery at the Hume Global Learning Centre, Craigieburn, until Sunday 22 March.
