January 16-31, 2011 p. 26 - Tempoplanet

ARTICULATE
Text by Neena rai, Photos by Ellaine FAtima
Superwoman:
Sumayyah al Suwaidi
Every time I think of Sumayyah al Suwaidi, only one
phrase, comes to my mind: ‘Never judge a book by its
cover.’ Sumayyah is a petite, young woman who could
easily pass off as a teenager going to school. She often
refers to herself as a giant in a small body. Though, I do
not think she is patently wrong, but I prefer to call her a
superwoman in an abaya.
Sumayyah, the superwoman, is a leading digital artist
based in Abu Dhabi. She runs a successful boutique
by the name of Grafika at Wahda Mall. She has a
successful career with ADACH. She has five children
and a husband to manage, as well as a full house to run.
She curates shows as well as participates in exhibitions.
She is also studying for her Masters at the Higher
Colleges of Technology. And if all that was not enough,
she recently published a book! Sometimes, I get the
nagging feeling that she has more hours than 24 in her
day.
Over a period of time, Sumayyah has gathered a lot
of feathers in her cap, but I was pretty impressed by
the latest - her book. Titled ‘The Art of Sumayyah Al
Suwaidi’ it is available on www.blurb.com for fans and
followers to download from across the globe. In my
chat with Sumayyah she told me “ I came out with the
book because I believe I am at a stage in my life, as
an artist, where I have accomplished a lot and a book
represents that in someway”.
I was curious why Sumayyah had chosen to have an
online book and she replied “Because my art followers
are from all around the world, so I wanted to give the
everyone the chance to own a copy of the book, and
there is nothing better than ordering it online and
waiting for it to be delivered at your door step”.
It made absolute sense to me.
Of course, not everything is as easy at it seems. She
also did a lot of research before she chose her online
publisher, blurb.com. But, all the hard work and
research paid off as the response has been fantastic.
“People are asking for copies, and some asked me to
hold a book signing in a book store, and some want to
see it in libraries. Different people are coming up with
different thoughts and ideas about my book.”
Sumayyah right now is working on ‘Peacock Collection’
which comprises 26 new artworks, and later she plans
to publish these in a book as well. There is obviously no
break on the horizon, as she also plans to curate a show
at Marsam Mattar Gallery in Dubai in January, a show in
Paris where she will be the only Arab artist, and a solo
at Art Sawa. By now, I am quite convinced Sumaya has
at least 40 hours in her day, because, I cannot imagine
how this is all humanly possible!
Visit Blurb on your mobile phone now,
for those of you interested in buying
Sumayyah’s latest book.
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to scan this tag on your mobile.
28 Tempo January 16 - 31, 2011