Covid19 Interview - Salma Arastu

Balancing tears of lament with faith and creative work.

In this interview with Indian American painter and poet Salma Arastu, you’ll hear and see her lyrical offerings of both as she processes this difficult season for humanity. Born with what she describes as “a life-defining challenge of a left hand without fingers” Salma has defied many odds with a joyful heart and perseverance, pursuing her art and calligraphy as a global artist and citizen. This post is part of a series of interviews with former Artists in Residence at Green Olive Arts asking how this season of social distancing and postponed cultural mobility has impacted them.

Green Olive Arts AiR Interview with Salma Arastu

Salma, how have you had to flex or pivot your art practice in this unprecedented season of home confinement? What are you currently working on in your studio at home?

The first couple of days after “shelter-in-place” was ordered, I felt lost.

I started watching news channels to find out facts trying to understand the real situation. I was shocked and numbed to see disasters landing on the globe by an invisible small virus with crowned head! Reality started sinking in. The feelings of fear, anger and anguish prevailed for a couple of days which made me uncomfortable and desperate to let these negative thoughts remove from my mind. I wrote several poems … filled pages in my journal.

My own writing and my prayers worked like a therapy and I gained some strength. I went and brought some canvases and painting and drawing materials from my studio. I used our guest room as my temporary studio. I had to release the pain of humanity I have been watching on the news…I felt choked and I knew it had to flow out. I never envisioned the outcome. I tacked a canvas 40″ x 60″ on the wall and started drawing crowds of people in charcoal on canvas. I had only the following four lines echoing in my mind that I had written in the morning:

This is the world war III of 21st century
Our enemy is invisible!
Attacking from right left, front and behind
Helpless we either surrender or die…

Pandemic, by Salma Arastu 2020

This drawing made me cry but it cooled down my inside. I found inspiration to turn towards my God and pray for whole humanity. I started writing two attributes of Allah in Arabic Calligraphy as daily practice of my art. I felt calm and it was meditative. As I was writing these names I was praying for the healing and safety of entire globe and whole humanity. I believe in the power of prayers.

I completed my daily practice of writing Two Beautiful Names of Allah in Arabic Calligraphy every day on May 7th 2020. I wrote 100 Names of Allah on 50 sheets on Hanji handmade square paper sheets (12”x12”) with pen & ink. While writing two together (as we recite them together traditionally) and contemplating on the meanings of these names I realized how each name compliments the other. Either adding more power to one name with additional qualities or presenting a contrast!

First Panel of Names by Salma Arastu 2020

Second Panel of Names – Salma Arastu 2020

What does creative community and/or social sanity look like for you right now? How are you staying connected and grounded?

Surprisingly online art galleries and museums have opened up so much opportunities to view exhibitions which otherwise I wasn’t able to view! Digital presence is mandatory for us artists now more than before. I am taking advantage of that and post regularly on my social networks like Facebook and Instagram and finding more following. Two of the art galleries had my exhibitions on during March and April but as lockdown orders were enforced these became online exhibitions. Oakland Asian Cultural Center in Oakland kept an exhibition of my works “open” until May 31st.

So I am grateful that I am blessed in these Covid19 times. I also received the good news last week (amidst all the sad news around me) that East Bay Community Foundation has awarded an Individual Artist Grant for my project “Our Earth: Embracing All Communities.” I am also grateful to some donors among my friends who helped me match this grant. Feeling blessed as now I can focus on my project which is in fact response to our current situation. We know deep in our hearts that we have arrived here because we have over-consumed our resources, ill-treated our mother earth and other living communities.

My project aims to explore the themes of ecology, sustainability and green living as they appear in the verses of the Quran and then translate them into visual imagery using a combination of Arabic calligraphy and illustrative mixed media paintings. Through these new series of paintings I wish to reinforce the scientific concept of the ‘chain of life’: that each species depends on another and together they maintain the balance of life on Earth. The purpose of this project is to amplify awareness of the imbalance that humans have created in nature, and to encourage people to care for the Earth and live in harmony with other living things.

12 Mandalas from “Our Earth: Embracing All Communities” by Salma Arastu 2020

What insights about creativity in a time of crisis can you share with other artists? What have you been learning?

The only insight that I can offer is to continue creative practice, doing small black and white sketches in the sketchbook also work as a therapy for mind and soul. Connecting with other artist friends and viewing art exhibitions online could keep us involved in the process of art. All artists are spiritual, so turning towards that
spiritual energy and meditation can relieve some stresses too. If one is passionate about his or her art, then one should just continue with trust and positive attitude. One of my artist friends wrote “On the bright side, I am no longer calling this shelter-in-place. I am an artist-in-residence.” I loved it!

Personally I feel I am blessed with two gifts from childhood, Creativity and Spirituality and these are constant sources of my joy and energy. In Conclusion I am leaving you with one of my recent poem and painting of hope…