PEELING LAYERS OF MEANING: THE VIVID WORLD OF REEM R

Palestinian visual artist Reem R. creates paintings that weave together vivid contrasts, cultural symbolism, and deeply personal narratives. Drawing inspiration from daily observations, human interactions, and treasured memories, her carefully composed works serve as visual riddles, inviting viewers to engage their own imagination and form personal interpretations. Represented by Hunna Art Gallery, Reem is known for her love of vibrant colors, symbolic storytelling, and a recurring motif that has become almost synonymous with her practice - the orange.

Her journey into the arts began at an early age, nurtured by a natural passion for drawing and supported by formal art classes. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Multimedia Design from the American University of Sharjah in 2017, she discovered a lasting love for oil painting through a university course that introduced her to the medium. The rich texture and patient process of oil painting resonated with her deeply, becoming a discipline that honed her focus, attention to detail, and appreciation for slow, immersive creation.

Oranges, in particular, hold a profound place in her art and heart. To Reem, their scent, vibrant color, and intricate details evoke her motherland, Palestine. The simple act of watching her mother peel an orange can feel like the closest connection to home. Her celebrated self-portrait The Orange Peel (2019) is not only a technical triumph but also a personal journey of self-discovery and healing. Each time she paints an orange, she engages all her senses, as if she could smell and taste the fruit on the canvas.

Her career spans exhibitions across the Arabian Peninsula - especially in Qatar and the UAE - as well as internationally in Croatia, France, Morocco, South Africa, and Spain. She has also been commissioned to create works for prestigious clients while holding professional roles in museums, universities, and corporate institutions. Her artistic influences range from renowned painters such as Sliman Mansour, Anuar Khalifi, Farah Alimi, and Jane Dashley to the boundless creativity of her young nephew Hamood, whose uninhibited approach to art she aspires to recapture.

For Reem, art is a space of contemplation, a white studio filled with blank canvases ready to be transformed into portals of meaning. Whether through her citrus symbolism or her vibrant color palettes, her work challenges viewers to look beyond the obvious, peeling back layers to discover new interpretations. As she continues to work on undisclosed projects and hints at a possible solo exhibition in the near future, Reem R. remains committed to her vision, one where every brushstroke carries memory, identity, and the flavor of home.

The inanimate objects that adorn her paintings think - shiny burgers and Coca-Cola cans or fruits and white flowers – are usually set against a monochromatic, silky fabric. “I paint many elements with the intention of triggering memories or senses and provoking thought,” she says. “Each piece is a reflection of my inner world that others can somehow relate to.”