An Effort x Hunna Art

An Effort and Hunna Art are thrilled to announce their collaboration.

An Effort is a unique space for GCC artists who are exploring gateways into their thoughts, dialogues, and futures. It provides a place of belonging where artists can research, discuss and create, with each program being a collaboration between the artists and the residency committee. The residency also offers artists the opportunity to participate in talks, workshops, and open studios to share their thoughts and inspirations.

First artist in residence: Zayn Qahtani

Zayn Qahtani is a multidisciplinary artist. Her work sways between what is seen and what is felt, compiling a personal mythology along the way. Drawing on ancient cultures and nature’s diverse ecosystems, Zayn forms visual stories which seem to exist in the twilight zone - too distorted to be real, too familiar to be a dream.

Her current practise explores the concept of animism, the gift-giving of a living soul to inanimate objects. Seeing the act of creation and destruction as an alchemical ritual, Zayn often works with materials borne of reincarnated sources. Pigments from plants and minerals, recycled bioplastics and papers made of tree matter, weave together with spells of poetry and pain in an unorthodox dance, binding each object with a life of its own.

About Zayn Qahtani

An Effort

An Effort is an art residency founded around narratives. It is a space for GCC artists who are exploring gateways into their thoughts, dialogues and futures. 

Endeavouring to provide a place of belonging, the residency and studio is a space for the selected artists to research, discuss and create; where each program is a collaboration between the artists and residency committee. 

Artists have the opportunity to participate in talks, workshops and open studios to share their thoughts, inspirations and outlook throughout their time at an effort.

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An Effort: the founder

Cristina O'Hanlon is a creative and the director and founder of an effort art residency in London, UK. The residency was inspired by artists she has met. Having spent her early years in Abu Dhabi, she then spent her subsequent childhood in Oman.

She has worked internationally (UK, Hong Kong) in the art, design and fashion fields and her artwork has been featured in VOGUE Italia.