‘I am one and several’

NADA ABI SALEH, MD Leo Burnett Beirut

This month, we are granted an

Up ‘n Close’ glimpse into the mind and heart of Leo Burnett’s MD, Nada Abi Saleh, who says has stopped dreaming, fear nothing and just want to break free… But in between she woudn't mind meeting Brad Pitt on a 7-hour flight or over a dinner. Till then, the infatigable Nada will keep walking.

Dream Destination: Restaurant:

Hotel:

Meal:

Quote:

Book:

Movie: Flower: Animal: Poet: Music/band: Painter: Heroes:

A large part of my work as an illustrator revolves around representing women in images of power. I feel that one of the most important ways in strengthening the narrative of the potential, influence and authority of women in the Middle East is through producing visual culture that portrays such traits.

The above three illustrated characters: Labua, Jamra and Naqiya, belong to a series I’ve called ‘Portraits from Imaginary Times’. The visualization of these characters is meant to project a window into an alternative reality solely based on references from the Middle Eastern region (both ancient and modern|).

Shedding away the Western notion of the ‘harem girl’, the ‘seductress’ or the ‘submissive woman’ in orientalist paintings, 19th century staged photography as well as modern narratives, a closerto-home portrayal is adopted, which depicts the true essence of the women of this region.

Various historical as well as mythical references already spoke of the deep-rooted strength of Near Eastern women. Most famously is the character of Ishtar-ashtart, the goddess of fertility, love, sex and war: the ultimate archetype. Historical references range from the famous female-pharaoh Hatšepsut; brave queens who took on various powerful positions within their society such as Puduhepa, Naqiya, Shamiram-semiramis and Zenobia; brilliant poets and philosopher-scientists such as Enheduanna and Hypatia; and finally, most recently, the known and anonymous women who took up arms and aided their people throughout their darkest hours from the 19th century to this day, from Armenia to Palestine, the Mediterranean shore to the easternmost reaches of the region.

These portraits, while serving as fictional representatives of an alternative reality, are a visual ode to all these women—famous and obscure; a manifestation of this region’s powerful female archetype.