Iraqi female artists bridges Arab nations through art Breaking artists political barriers [Archives:2002/22/Culture]

BY: FAHMIA AL-FOTAIH
AND MOHAMMED ALMASANI
YEMEN TIMES STAFF
The richness of Arab heritage is something to be searched by Yemeni artists: creative people like Ms. Jenan Mohammed Jerjis, an Iraqi-born resident of Yemen who has known a love of art ever since she can remember. Since the age of 7, she had a small dream, one that has grown year after year, and now is going to see the light.
With a winning smile she received Fahmia Taha Al-Fotih of Yemen Times was received with a smile by Ms. Jenan at her office, which she has made like a museum showcasing civilizations from Africa, Yemen, Egypt and Iraq.
Among this romantic and historic atmosphere, she talked to us.
YT: Could you introduce yourself please?
Jenan: I am Jenan Mohammed Jerjis born in Baghdad, brought up in a family with most of its members as artists. My husband is also an author and critic and has artful taste. I have graduated from arts college artificial section. I studied paintings and I am interested in designing clothes for the theater and decoration as well. I like colors and everything that is old. I have had Qertaga prize for clothes and Al-montada prize for clothes also. Now I am MA student in Arwa university studying policy.
YT: How do you find Yemeni heritage and the its current state?
Jenan: On one hand, I consider the Yemeni culture is the mother of the other Arab cultures as Yemen is part of Arabia?s origin. I believe that there is a variety everywhere, however Yemeni culture is richly variable. On the other hand, I have visited the National Yemeni Museum and I find out that most of the Yemeni legacy is either lost and buried or ignored or sometimes in the hands which cannot appreciate its historical value.
YT: Do you think that there is a contradiction between art and policy?
Jenan: I think there is a relationship between them. The artist looks differently and deeply at things and produces something useful for the public as well as the politician.
YT: Could tell us about your project please?
Jenan: In fact, it is a big project and it needs governmental support. The idea is that we want to build and open ?Folklore Houseî in which we can gather Yemen history from the Sheba and Hymerits eras to the time now, of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. In other words, join the past and the present in one place through which we can show our history in an honorable way to all people either Yemeni, Arab or foreigner.
In addition, this house is not only for show but also is considered to be responsible for spreading the history and the Yemeni tradition through TV, radio, and magazines and through festivals. We also want to make a limitation for the archeology in a book.
One of the functions of this house is to contain a factory in which one can see traditional clothes and try to recreate, renew and make them fashionable and suitable for the present. We can teach each other our history without giving any lecture. This can be done, for example, be drawing a jambia on a T-shirt, cup, or ashtray.
Actually, they?re many things we can achieve through this project and I would like to make a folklore house for not only for Yemen but also for the rest of the Arabs. In that way we can represent the Arab world in any cultural occasion outside. When we achieve this, Arabs can move inside the Arab world without passports, and thus we could somehow break the political barriers and create economic unity.
YT: What are the obstacles that you have faced?
Jenan: My project has been hampered for four years. It is a huge project and it needs great capital. However, this time the Kanan association and Yemeni businesswomen have adopted the project hoping that it sees the light.
YT: Do you take others opinion in consideration?
Jenan: I take the opinions of people closest to me and I usually take my husband’s. But I care so much for my opinion.

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