Ziryab...Another Story (Arab-Andalusian Songs Series) 1995

Houria Niati made 'Ziryab...Another Story' as part of her Arab-Andalusian Songs Series, and I can only imagine the stories held within it. Look at the dominant earth tones, greens, and blues! See how Niati layered these colors, almost like archaeology, digging through time and culture. I sympathize with the artist's struggle here, trying to capture something so complex, something she has perhaps dreamt, heard or experienced. The canvas is a witness, covered in the residue of her labor and intuition. See how the paint is built up in places, thick and textured, with a very physical presence. It feels like the gestures are communicating something beyond words. It puts me in mind of other artists who use color and texture to evoke mood and memory. There is a dialogue happening here between artists across time, one influencing the other, echoing each other’s ideas. Painting is like that, an ongoing conversation in which Niati adds her own voice. It is a form of expression, a way of seeing, feeling, and thinking about the world. And I like that it has multiple meanings.