Founding her eponymous gallery during the pandemic, Kariman credits the UAE with creative support
For many the pandemic was undoubtedly an unwelcome interval, though for what is transpiring to be an increasing number it actually offered a chance to take stock of life’s priorities. Egyptian native Kariman Ahmed Ali has lived in the UAE for six years — the majority of those working as a teacher. However, her greatest passion has always and will always be art. Soon after the #StayHome measures took affect Ahmed Ali made the bold decision to quit teaching, primarily to deliver her second child, though an indefinite break from the office environment was also a clear motivator for the change. A few months passed before a chance viewing of a crafts video prompted the self-taught resin artist to buy all the necessary materials to follow her original designer calling and launch a small business in the process. The former professor transformed a small room in her apartment into a studio. She is now the founder and curator of online viewing and commercial platform Galerie Kariman, fabricating each practical decorative piece therein by hand, and gaining quite a few high-profile fans along the way.
“Launching during the pandemic was all circumstantial and not planned,” Ahmed Ali says. “It was like puzzle pieces magically falling into the right place.” We spoke to her to find out more.
What exactly does a resin artist do? How did you decide on this art discipline?
Resin is a transparent liquid medium, which leaves a high gloss protective finish after it cures. Resin artists use epoxy resin in art in a variety of ways. It can be poured in silicon moulds to cast objects such as coasters, dishes and jewellery. It can be used also in woodwork, countertops and home furniture leaving a beautiful high shine and ultra-glossy protective varnish. I graduated from Alexandria’s Fine Arts University in Egypt and I am familiar with different mediums of art like oil painting, acrylic and pouring paints. I have been on and off with my art career during the last 10 years and in my spare time after quitting my job I watched one video that made me fall in love with the fun and magical art of resin.
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