Sculpting Public Art | Najla El Zein

Award-winning sculptor and artist Najla El Zein is most recently known for her work on a public commission by Qatar Museums for Doha's cultural district — a work titled "Us, her, him". She joins us to talk about her creative process, the evolution of her work, and the profound impact of personal experiences on her art. Based between Beirut and Amsterdam, Najla's work explores the relationship between space, object, and the human body, often challenging conventional perceptions of sculpture. She delves into the emotional depth behind her most significant projects, including her iconic spoons sculpture, the "Distortion" series, as well as her monumental public commission in Qatar, reflecting on themes of motherhood, female identity, and collective creation amidst challenging times.

 

0:00 Introduction

1:21 The Artist's Studio and Creative Process

2:46 From Childhood Curiosity to Sculptural Expression

5:36 Embracing the Unromantic Side of Sculpture

7:45 The Spoons Sculptures: A Defining Project

8:42 Moving to Beirut and Accessing Craftsmanship

10:18 Process and Meaning Behind the Spoons Sculture

11:39 Capturing Movement and Life in Static Forms

12:57 The Significance of Process and Durability

14:10 "Distortion" Series: Motherhood and Identity

18:50 "Fragmented Pillar": Fragility and Strength

21:28 "Seduction" Series: The Journey of Connection

23:17 A Deepening Relationship With Stone

25:06 "Group of Five": Dynamics and Discovery

27:49 The Qatar Museums Project: A Public Commission Amidst Crisis

30:58 The Vision for Qatar's Cultural District

34:12 Craftsmanship and the Human Element in Public Art

37:16 The Collaborative Process: From Lebanon to Qatar

40:34 Influences: Saloua Raouda Choucair, Noguchi, and Hockney

 

Najla El Zein's work embodies an intuitive approach to art and design, where narrative, craft, and materiality are central to her creative process. Each piece offers a personal yet universal language that evokes curiosity and emotion. Born in Beirut in 1983, she is a Lebanese-French artist and designer based in Amsterdam. She graduated from the École Camondo in Paris with a degree in Product Design and Interior Architecture, Spatial Design. In 2024, she received the Dia Al-Azzawi Prize for Public Art for her monumental installation "Us, Her, Him" in Doha, Qatar. In 2025, she was honored as one of the AD100 most important influential figures in art and design. Her works are part of prestigious collections, including Dallas Museum of Art, Saint Louis Art Museum, Qatar Museums, and the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Connect with Najla El Zein 👉 

https://instagram.com/najlaelzein

Hosted by: 
Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

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