Everyone remembers Omani-born Shayma Al Mughairy as one of the top contestants in the popular ‘Arabs Got Talents’ reality show, which captured her unique sand-sketching craft. She has, since, come a long way, bagging awards and establishing her footprint on the international canvas. FACES contributor Rabi’ah. M caught up with the artist to highlight her credentials as the first Omani woman to take her art worldwide.
When I first met the Omani born Shayma Al Mughairy, more than five years ago in Ras Al Khaimah, U.A.E, I recollect her being a humble and well-spoken individual, despite the fame she’d managed to accomplish in a short span of time. Talking to her was an honour; it gave me an opportunity to understand the mind and passion for a unique genre of art, which is rarely experimented by mainstream artists.
Shayma’s claim to fame moment was at the age of 17 when she participated in the ‘Arabs Got Talent’ TV show, which was extremely popular in the Middle East, broadcasted on the MBC Network. With her hard work, efforts and constant improvisation, she has managed to gain recognition not only in Oman, U.A.E, and the Middle East, but even globally. From this point onwards, she has successfully managed to take her sand-sketching art to a higher level with newer opportunities to perform and showcase her remarkable work. It is her spectacular imagination and endless creativity which, perhaps, leads and inspires her on a continuous basis with the endless support from her family, friends and the community. It is worth noting the way Shayma manages to illustrate imagery within the context of a tight timing; it is simply fascinating for the onlooker since this entails control and maintaining composure.
In the following interview she talks about her art, her inspiration, challenges and the awards that act as incentives.
What is your main source of inspiration as an individual and an artist?
My main sources of inspiration are the day-to-day modern topics. I love to draw what people like and discuss these days; it makes me feel that I am communicating with them through my art. It is all about being relevant to the community and trying to contribute my opinion towards the topic and discussing it through my art.
Have you thought of taking your sand-sketching work to greater heights of innovation?
I have already achieved what no sand artist has done before. For instance, working on the first sand art music video, first children’s TV series totally dedicated to sand art and other TV series related to sand art. Also, numerous TV commercial conducted in the sand art medium. I am also working on more innovations for the future.
What is the best part of being a sand sketch artist?
Creating art using a unique medium like sand, being able to control the art, make it speak, give it motion… Unlike pen and brush, I can narrate a lot more than a still picture. The best part is anyone and can take a pen, draw something and call it an art, but not everyone can control sand and make something out of it.
Do you feel you are limited to simply being a ‘sand sketch artist’ or do you have plans to diversify this across to other arenas of art genres?
I started off as a painter and a pen sketcher, then I decided to try out something new and never seen in the Gulf and the Arabian world, that’s why I started learning sand art 10 years ago. I would love to diversify, but using sand in the process to create another type of art.
What difficulties have you faced with your work?
Bringing my art to the audience was difficult in the beginning, since it was something new; but what was all the more difficult for me was to balance this while at high school, especially in my last year of school. However, thanks to God and to the support of my family, friends, and the school and the Ministry of Education…they helped me to overcome it all and become the person I am right now. But I still face some difficulties such as practicing speed and memorising the storyboard and the detailed sketches for the show. Encountering a live show in an open area where I should adapt to the environment around me and kept up with the wind so I could draw more easily.
How challenging is it for you to be detail oriented?
Being detailed is a very important thing to me, details are what brings your art to life. At first when using a new form of art, being detailed would take up to an hour to finish one portrait. But now, I can do it within a couple of minutes.
What new events or developments have taken place in your work?
I had the chance to work with I Solisti Veneti, an Italian orchestra, playing the Four Seasons concerto while I was drawing with sand in front of a huge audience at the Royal Opera House in Muscat.
I worked at the Muscat festival 2018 TV commercial and have worked on several other events. I have been a part of the celebration of Omani national day at the Sultanate of Brunei by an invitation from the Omani embassy, UAE national day in Brazil and Montenegro by an invitation from the UAE embassy, participant in the dates festival in Al Ahsa – KSA, Expo Milan – Italy, Expo Yeosu – South Korea, ‘Breakpoint’ conference in Istanbul, ‘Dissemination of the Message of Islam’ campaign at UNESCO headquarters in Paris and in Brunei, inauguration of the Swiss GC watch in Switzerland, celebration of the 150th anniversary of the establishment of Nestlé in the UAE and Switzerland, opening of the new branch of Pullman Hotel in Medina – KSA, and many more.
Any exhibitions or awards you have bagged?
I received a lot of awards in my life journey, but my top three which has a special place in my heart include: Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Distinguished Academic Performance – Excellent Student Category and Sharjah Award for Excellence in Education – Excellent Student Category.