TANYA TRABOULSI

In this interview, we delve into the world of TANYA TRABOULSI, who share her inspirations and unique perspectives.

Tanya Traboulsi by Rabab Chamseddine

1. Introduce Yourself to the Casawi Community: What drives you? What's your artistic vision, and what sets you apart from the crowd?

I’m a visual artist and photographer with a deep interest in memory, identity, and the ways they intertwine with place. My work is driven by the desire to document and preserve stories - both personal and collective - that might otherwise fade. I work to navigate and connect the diverse cultural influences that have shaped me, hoping to create work tha resonates on both a personal and universal level.

2. City Inspirations: How has your city influenced your artistic path? Share how its streets, culture, and energy have molded your work.

Beirut is both a muse and a canvas. Its streets hold memories of my childhood and echoes of history that continue to influence my work. The contrasts of chaos and beauty resilience and fragility, are themes I often explore. The energy of Beirut - its blend of cultures, sounds, and colors - infuses my photography with a sense of place that’s deeply personal yet reflective of shared experiences.

3. Creative Process: What fuels your creativity? Whether it's a ritual, a muse, or a moment of clarity, we're keen to learn.

My creativity is fueled by observation and introspection. Photography, for me, begins with a moment of stillness: noticing a detail, a shadow, or a fleeting interaction that tells deeper story. I also draw inspiration from archives, whether personal or communal, finding connections between the past and present. This process is often intuitive, guide by an emotional response to what I see or feel in my environment.

4. City Lifestyle and Art: How the places you lived influenced your career and work?

The places I’ve lived in have profoundly shaped my artistic journey. Growing up between different cultural contexts has given me a unique lens through which I view and documen the world. Cities like Vienna, where I spent some years of my life, provided a structured contrast to the vibrant, sometimes unpredictable rhythm of Beirut. This duality - of order and spontaneity - often finds its way into my work, reflecting the layered identitie navigate.

5. Latest or Upcoming Projects: Give us a glimpse into your current endeavors and what lies ahead on your creative journey.

My recent book project, A Sea Apart, is a deeply introspective exploration of memory and place. It reflects on my personal connection to Beirut and how the city has evolved acros decades. Moving forward, I aim to expand this dialogue into a broader archive - a visual and narrative repository that captures both the fleeting and the enduring aspects of life.

Tanya Traboulsi

Tanya Traboulsi

Tanya Traboulsi

Tanya Traboulsi

Tanya Traboulsi

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Instagram: @tanya_traboulsi