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This month, it`s the story of the 23 years old Sara Gaafar that captured our attention. Finding purpose earlier in life, taking the responsibility of helping other artists grow, and succeeding in business as a young woman. We talked with Sara about her journey, the meaning of art, the way artists could balance between creating art and earning a living, and more.
1. Let’s start with the newest, is there any current projects you are working on?
Recently we started working on this project inspired by Fashion. As you can see Fashion is becoming more of a thing, or let`s say it started to grow back. So we thought about creating Fashion shoots in collaboration with talent companies. And since it`s women month in march, we decided to bring some inspiring women, to create photoshoots that tell a story through art and fashion, the project is still untitled, but for me, I would call it “Women on walls”.
2. Tell us about Artkhana, how did it start, and where it is now?
I started Artkhana when I was 17 years old, it was back then when Instagram started to become popular, and many young people were doing more than one art form, and I noticed that there was no actual platform for artists who are under 20. So that`s when Artkhana started, to help artists showcase their work, besides, involve artists in some charity work.
I am no longer an active member of Artkhana, I had this idea, that if I wanted Artkhana to remain for those who are younger, it should be operated by them, so now I am just giving advice.
3. You got involved in projects like Jidar and excuse my content, tell us more about them?
I was going through this transition period, where I wanted to make money. Before, I had the privilege of being younger and getting help from my father. However, that changed. I was so into painting on walls, as a sort of creating a statement, I started to do some work for people, and I thought I should take money for my work, and I was at that point.
That is when I and my partners thought of turning our work into a business, and that`s Jidar. Before Jidar, I met with Sharara, who by the way was a huge supporter for Artkhana, he wanted to create an agency, where the idea is creating content that is of value, we decided to create only products that are of real value for the clients. That is where the name comes from, inspired by excuse my French. It`s like excuse us we are not going to do something that does not have a value.
4. How important is it for an artist to show their art to the world?
Some artists were discovered after they died, and some were appreciated while being alive. so it`s debatable, some people get full filled from just creating, and others get that fulfillment from showing their art and showing a statement. What is important and can be challenging, is that you should create something when there is something you want to tell, not just to appear as someone with a thing to say, when actually what you are saying has no real value.
5. You operate through a community of artists, what is the importance of such a community in your projects?
The community of artists is everything, if it was not for this community there would not be an organization. We work with different artists on our projects, they are very essential in whatever we are doing. if it was not for the community I do not know where I would be, it`s a big part of what I stand for.
6. How could artists balance between art and money, is it essential to make money from art to keep creating more art?
There is this taboo, people are so afraid of being commercial. For example, Rap is rising, and these rappers are saying things that they are feeling, and now they started doing shows and concerts and people are paying money to see them and listen to them, so is that considered commercial? It`s debatable, and no one can settle this argument.
Having a huge audience does not mean you are commercial if I can do something, there is someone somewhere would enjoy and is willing to pay for it. You need to know what interests this person in your work, and from there you start to create a demand on what you are providing, you can provide new things and constantly reshape your work, and some even can turn their art into a product.
7. From your experience, how is the current generation different from the elder generations?
The way I see us different is that we came to the point where we can differentiate between bullshit and actual change.
And we actually can seize opportunities and do something. Our parents believe that success is being a part of something bigger than us, if I am not a part of a large corporate then I am not successful, I feel that the difference is that we have this conscious, we are lucky. I think older generations tend to be a part of something else rather than to create, and that gave our generation the chance to renovate.
8. Do you think art alone can stand as a powerful tool for social change, or does it have to be supported by something else?
It has to be supported by something else; cause at the end of the day, art is a form of expression. And without having the resources to create, you wouldn’t be able to say something. Of course, art can help you make a statement, but I do not know if it can alone stand for social change.
9. What do you think is the social responsibility for millennials right now?
It is a very critical time in terms of where our planet is. Many of those before us had been consuming a lot of its resources, and we took part in this consuming growing up. So our responsibility right now is to try our best to preserve these resources, I think if we are aware as individuals of how the way we consume do affect the planet, then there will be something different, it`s our social responsibility to be more aware, and more resourceful in the way we exist.
10. Anything you want to tell young artists.
If I would tell a young person something I think it would be, do not let someone tell you what you should and shouldn’t be doing, just go find what makes you happy, and this is what you pursue in the end.
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