Dina Suliman
Hestia, 2021
Acrylic based mixed media and fabrics
100 x 100 cm
Copyright/Photo credit
Hestia was sold alongside Masqueraderie and Eucalyptic Tension to an incredible collector family. It brings me a truly bizarre sense of warmth to know that all three live together in...
Hestia was sold alongside Masqueraderie and Eucalyptic Tension to an incredible collector family. It brings me a truly bizarre sense of warmth to know that all three live together in a new home. As though they will be looking out for and keep each other company. How so wacky of me, right?
I suppose now is most opportune for me to add that Curriculum Vitae and Roman Heir were as fortunate. Sold together last month to a remarkable collector and arts professor. I write to you in the comfort of knowing that both paintings are currently hanging and headlining warm, artistic and delightful conversations in their beautiful new home.
Back to Hestia. In the first instance, it was conceptualised with the departure of Curriculum Vitae, which was and remains ever so dear to me for reasons that I shall share with you separately. To me, CV represents identity and self proclamation - I wanted to procreate a successor in its series (bloodline, rather). That fierce and dominant aura is what I worked towards, and achieved with Hestia.
In the second yet equally important instance, Hestia was inspired by @stephenfryactually , Sir as he should be. If you have ever wondered what I listen to while I paint, it is his podcasts, audio books et al (followed by Arabic music).
Per Stephen Fry: “all our ancestors gathered around the flames, to stay warm and to protect themselves from animals and they told stories about things over which they had no control. They tell their children where thunder comes from, why is fire coming out of the mountain. And everything you cannot understand and control you give a name. A god. And so these gods developed personalities around the fire. And now I think we can safely say we have lost the hearth. We don’t eat around tables anymore ... nobody gathers around and shares stories anymore. We have lost our focus, we have lost our hearth.“
This painting represents the hearth, different forms, colours and textures coming together harmoniously. Embracing and keeping one another warm, safe and entertained... just like my paintings in collectors’ homes.