Artist Bio

Jude Zawaideh, a 21-year-old fine artist born in Amman, Jordan, captures the essence of the self in response to the physical body over time. With a focus on a contemporary figurative style, her work serves as a reflective medium that pushes towards notions of self-awareness and exploration. Zawaideh uses oil paint as a medium which encompasses her love of the process and the patience it takes to get to know the subjects she paints. She creates enigmatic, vaguely familiar compositions that explore the multiplicity of reality and human consciousness, diving into the artist’s personal experiences within her reality. Viewers find themselves exchanging glances with the subjects immersed in scenes of unexpected yet intensely introspective states.  

Artist Statement

My approach to art making is to challenge spaces I find myself and others in through time. Observations innately play a huge role in how I form my ideas and compositions. In this series my focus was to explore the relationship between the self and the body in response to the passing of time. The body in my work is regarded as a channel between one’s internal and external worlds, acknowledging that we all exist as selves through, in accordance with and because of the body. These compositions serve as reminders of how precious every moment is in pursuit of meeting yourself once again. The series invites the viewers to let go of every quintessential version of themselves and become immersed in the unknown. As you encounter the works, I tell the story of enigmatic figures that hold emphatic gazes with their viewers, and in that moment they hold an unspoken awareness of the silence they both share.

www.judezawaideh.com

When did your interest in art begin vs. when you began thinking of it as a career/life choice?

My interest in art has been ever-present throughout my life, a ubiquitous fascination that grew with me through the years. I always knew I was an artist and that was the route I wanted to take with my life, but it took a great deal of self-reflection, failures, and courage to finally share such an intricate, empirical, and intimate part of my world with others. The big shift happened around 2021 when I recognized the power behind my intention as an artist. I knew that what I had to share had the potential to connect people to themselves and each other in such a beautiful way, so I put together my first solo show -- a series of works that is just as much a part of my viewer’s world as it is mine.

What draws you to your particular subject matter?

I’ve always been a very curious and observant person which innately are characteristics that inspire and inform my art. Getting to know anyone is always a timely process, and I put that same time and effort into trying to understand and get to know myself on a deeper level. I’m able to do this through observing different people in different spaces -- the way they move, talk, act, and perform. I see people who are loud yet don’t say much at all, others who are silent yet can be felt and understood in immeasurable volumes. Human nature, the dynamics of the body and its correlation to the mind, and our conscious and unconscious worlds are all notions that I’m drawn to and enjoy exploring through the transmutation of my subject matter.

What interest of yours (outside of art) ends up influencing your practice the most?

Poetry, writing, and literary works have always been driving forces that directly influence my art. I tend to immerse myself into subjects related to philosophy, culture, history, and psychology that help me form a well-rounded awareness of my reality as it pertains to the world in its totality. I further explore these concepts through my subject matter, be it their placement in the composition, their body language, the patterns, colors, or even the scale of the piece.

What is one piece of advice you wish you could give your younger self?

I would advise my younger self to simply take her time, when you slow down the world reveals itself to you in ways far beyond what is imaginable. It’s one thing to create art for the sake of creating it, and another thing completely when you do it with the intention of bettering yourself and others in some way, which takes patience. You can never go wrong when you are being authentic in what you put into the world, it takes courage, strength, and patience to be yourself and allow others into your space. With art, you can do that in the most beautiful way—a way that transcends generations and helps you leave a lasting impression on others that need it.

What would you say is your biggest goal for this year?

This year my biggest goal is to continue growing as an artist, to challenge myself more through my art, and in turn connect with others through this journey. I hope to continue learning from strangers and listening to the stories that surround me. Ultimately, this year is dedicated to creating, connecting, and growing, and it’s such an exciting thought already.