" Sawsan Al Saraf is a creative imaginative and talented artist. Her art encompasses sculpture, relief, collage, murals, drawings and paintings. All the art forms of Sawsan Al Saraf are dynamic and exciting. Sawsan thinks big not only in the dimensions of her creations, but also in her vision and thinking. This is recognized by the press in Canada and U.A.E. who have reviewed her art most generously. "‌

Phyllis C. Yaffe, Ph.D.

 

Artist Statement History


 

Art Education

  • Concordia Univeristy Montreal, Canada2002  BFA (with distinction)

  • Saidye Bronfman Center for the Arts Montreal, Canada 1996-1998 CAP program

  • Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. 1982-1997 Art Workshops (sculpture)

  • Cardiff University Cardiff, UK 1975 Two year course in Portraiture

Skills and Experience
Organizations and Events:

  • One of the founders of Iraqi Cultural and Heritage Society in Montreal, Canada

  • Manager at Le Galerie@1637 from April 2001 until March 2002. Duties involved arranging solo and group exhibitions for more than 15 artists.

  • Organized and executed the Iraqi section for the annual Arab Festival held at UQAM University in Montreal, 1999

  • Organized and executed the Visual Arts section for Iraqi Cultural Day at the Delta Hotel in Montreal, November 1997

  • Organizing member of the Iraqi branch of Culture and Fashion of the Arab World, at the Sheraton Hotel in Abu Dhabi, UAE, 1994


Teaching Experience

  • Teaching Painting with Acrylic at the CJCS for Seniors from 2002-May 2004

  • Teaching Painting and Collage as Art Therapy at the Henri Bradette Day Center, Richardson Hospital, 2002-2004

  • Teaching Arts and Crafts at Montreal YMCA to children from 3-10 years old, 2002-2004

  • Internship at the CJCS in the Fine Arts Department, Supervisor Myrna Brooks Bercovitch, 2002-2003

  • Teaching Painting and Drawing for women groups, as well as children groups, in special art courses in my private studio, 1997-2003
     

Commissions and Projects
Involved in and successfully executed a variety of Design projects and Murals for:

  • Final Project for Concordia University: Mixed media mural based on the Epic of Gilgamesh

  • Annual Arab Festival at UQAM University: Original Mural design and execution focused on Iraqi Ancient Sites and Heritage & a two meter sculpture of Hammurabi’s Code

  • Petrov Restaurant at Le Meridien Hotel, Abu Dhabi: Ceiling and Wall painting using Egg Tempra technique, with Romanian Artist Petre.

  • Saks Restaurant in Montreal: Original Mural design and execution

  • 6 Continents Travel Agency in Montreal: Original Mural design and execution focused on Egyptian Heritage

  • Executed two sculptures for High Tech computer companies

Honors:

  • Museum of Sharjah, UAE

  • Cultural Foundation, UAE

  • Certified Internship at CJCS Center, Montreal

  • Certified Workshop on “Women and Gender in Iraqi Societyâ€‌, Baghdad

Galleries:

  • www.sawsanalsaraf.com  Official Website

  • www.shakomako.net  Online Gallery

  • Le Galerie@1637 Montreal, Canada

  • Galerie Schorer Montreal, Canada

  • Galerie 2000 Montreal, Canada

  • Dar Al Sarraf Gallery Baghdad, Iraq
     

Exhibitions:

  • Saidye Bronfman Center, Montreal Group April 2005

  • Open Studio Exhibtion, Montreal Group June 2003-April 2004

  • Gallery VAV, Concordia University Group November 2002

  • Le Galerie@1637 , Montreal Solo & Group Oct. 2001-March 2002

  • Le Galerie@1637 , Montreal Group September 2001

  • Hotel De Ville, Brossard Solo July 2001

  • Le Galerie@1637 , Montreal Group June 2001

  • Le Galerie@1637 , Montreal Solo May 2001

  • Galerie Schorer, Montreal Group September 2000

  • Galerie Schorer, Montreal Solo April 1999

  • Sharjah Museum, UAE Group September 1998

  • Sharjah Museum, UAE Group September 1997

  • Dar Al Sarraf Gallery, Baghdad Solo July 1997

  • Saidye Bronfman, Montreal Group March 1997

  • Saidye Bronfman, Montreal Group March 1996

  • Cultural Foundation, UAE Group September 1993

  • WIAD, UAE Group April, 1993

  • Marina Club, UAE Group April 1991

  • Badia Arts, UAE Solo April 1991

  • WIAD, UAE Group April 1988

  • Cultural Foundation, UAE Group September 1986

Press and Media:

  • Femmes Arabes Magazine, Montreal February 2004

  • The Gazette Newspaper, Montreal October 2003 & June 1997

  • Com2Art Le Magazine, Montreal Februrary 2002

  • The Suburban Newspaper, Montreal

  • September 2001, July 2001, July 2001, July 1999

  • Imaginaire, Montreal August 2001

  • Le Couverrier du Sud, Brossard July 2001

  • Brossard أ‰clair, Brossard June 2001

  • Azzaman, London, England April 1999

  • The Monitor, Montreal April 1999

  • Al Miraat, Montreal April 1999

  • Al Khaleej, UAE June 1998

  • Al Rayah, Qatar November 1997

  • The Examiner, Westmount June 1997