Abdullah interviews Manayer Al-Sharekh

A magnificent spirit shines upon you’re beautiful eyes today, the highly talented and down to earth artistic muse, Ms.Manayer Al-Sharekh.

She has an event thats coming up TODAY (27th March, 2011) showcasing contemporary Arab artists. It’s going to be at the FA Gallery (Next to Amiri Hospital) from 7:00 to 9:00pm.

What I like about her project/vision is how much she understands that artistic potential does exist in the country for those who are unable or lack communication with people in high places. She wants to make small dreams happen, educate the masses and in my opinion she wants to be the hope/voice and light for those who are in the dark.

I think that Art is one of the most beautiful exists away from reality. Whatever it is and whoever you are, if you can apply art in your life to communicate a message thats lingering in your head, you’ll be free.

Cant wait for you guys to get to know Manayer and explore her success story.

Make sure you check out her event tomorrow, she’ll be there !

Manayer, Speak !
My name is Manayer AlSharekh, I’m 27 years old, and my Blackberry is my lifeline. I’ve always liked creativity as whole from a very young age, from art to music to even poetry and advertising. My dad’s been a patron of the arts since as long as I can remember so I guess I just inherited that. I went to school at Central Saint Martins and graduated with a BA (Hons) in Graphic Design and Diploma in Foundation Studies in Art & Design in London but when I graduated I couldn’t pursue a career in Art and went to work at an investment company. There I decided to get my post-grad in business so I can be better equipped to make money with my Art Degree. I got my MSc. in Technology Entrepreneurship from UCL which is a joint program with LBS where I studied the business part of my program as an MBA student. I wanted to start ARTSHARKS on my own without any help from my family so I asked them to give me my MSc graduation gift in cash (whatever they were gonna get me – even iTunes gift cards) I used that as a startup capital.

What are your childhood flashes ?
After the liberation in ’91, my brother Abdullah and I found ourselves in the middle of a minefield with him a good 10 meters ahead of me. Thankfully, he had his new “Nike Air” shoes on and he backtracked his footsteps to where I was and gave me a piggy-back ride back to safety. So now we always say “Nike saved my life”

Who is your inspiration in life?
My mother. I know it might seem cliche but it’s true. She has always pushed me to do better, didn’t take no for an answer and always led by example.
She is an amazing woman oo Allah ikhaleelna iyaha.

What differs you from the rest of the competition out there?
I believe that my concept in new and unparalleled. We are not an Art Gallery, and we are not Art Brokers. We are an ARTHouse that support only aspiring/budding artists. People who don’t have the clout (was6a aw ma3arif) to ‘make it’. We want to ‘Bridge the Art Gap’. We want to show people who say ‘ana moo mal Art’ that Art isn’t just for the elite or connoisseurs, that you can have Art in your lives for mere aesthetic purposes.

You have a big event coming up, can you please tell us about it ?
On Sunday, March 27, we’re going to have our first exhibition showcasing some of our Contemporary Arab Artists. It’s going to be at The FA Gallery (Next to Amiri Hospital) at from 7:00 to 9:00pm. We’re also going to be selling the first edition of our book “The ARTSHARKS Blog”.

Whats your support system like ?
I am very blessed with a family that does not just include my relatives. My friends and family have been very supportive and encouraging from day one. They have given me advice, helped me out, gave me ideas, and told me to stop messing around whenever I got lazy. I would, however, like to take this opportunity thank my parents, siblings – Fahad, Anoud, and Abdullah, and the love of our lives Jude for believing in me and my idea. Without them I would be nowhere.

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now ?
In 5 years InshaAllah I hope to see The ARTSHARKS ARTHouse a reality in all it’s aspects. I would like to have a base where we can support artists through studio workspaces, facilities, and workshops where they can add skill to their talent through trained professionals.

Throw something for p0ach readers!
I live by two mottos in life: “the Sky’s the limit” and “what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger”.
Whenever you think you’ve failed at something and can’t go any further, think of it as “now you know what to avoid and can do it better”.
Never give up on your dream, there’s always a way to make it work.