Zahra Holm is a self-taught multifaceted artist working mostly through oil, acrylics and ceramics, documenting her process beautifully in a way that amplifies both her consistently vibrant color palette and honoring soft, feminine shapes. Holm’s simplicity tells a story not many artists are able to convey in a style purely made up of intuitively organic forms and clean lines.

Tell us a little about you. Where are you from? How did you get your start?

“My name is Zahra, I’m originally from Sweden and Tunisia. I’m based in Paris, France and am Parisian since 2007. I’m an artist, considering myself more like a painter but I explore different mediums like ceramics, textiles. I have always been attracted to art since forever. I have always drawn and paint for as long as I can remember.

I knew I’d do something creative growing up, being a painter was the dream. The dream I never thought I could achieve so I went to Set Design instead and realised after a few years that my purpose and my passion was to be a painter. I decided to just go for it and I’ve been living the dream for 4 years now. “

What are some of the things that influenced you to discover and establish your style?

“For me, an abstract representation opens a dialogue and lets the viewer see and feel what they want to. Some of my paintings are completely abstract, and some are a bit more figurative, but very few are truly realistic.

A lot of artists like Henri Matisse, Mark Rothko, Sonia Delaunay and Helen Frankenthaler have influenced me and nourish that idea, that expression of inviting a dialogue.”

Where do you usually go to seek inspiration for future projects?

Inspiration comes naturally to me. I get inspired by what surrounds me: nature and bodies generally. It can be anything related to that.

The attitude and allure of a person, the way her hand moves when she talks, she walks… (someone I know or someone I see in the street for example). I’m very interested by mouvement and body language. Also very much the sun, the light, I’m obsessed with sunsets. Nature in general inspires me a lot in my work.

In my latest work, nature is omnipresent. I believe that nature is part of our soul and body. So for me it’s only natural to represent the human body, the female form, with that connection.

I’m currently working on large paintings where I represent the sea. A new serie called “Paysage bleu dans la tête” which means “Blue landscape in the head/mind” it’s a declination of another serie I also work on called “Des paysages dans la tête”, “Landscapes in the head/mind”. The result is a fusion between abstract landscapes and bodies, where landscapes turn into bodies, bodies into landscapes. They represent the body in motion as much as what’s happening inside the body, the mind.

I wanted to have a serie dedicated to the sea. I grew up surrounded by the meditereean sea and have a dear connection to it. For all the childhood memories, the joy and comfort it gaves me, the strong feelings, the mouvement, the power and greatness, the colors, the shades, the reflection… The sea has its own ups and downs, can be quiet and agitated, similar to my own emotions.

A BIG inspiration that speaks to me and I feel the need to express that and represent the sea and the human as one.

For the days I’m feeling really stuck or just in the mood. I go out for a walk to get inspired, or simply take a nap (really good ideas can come when I sleep haha).

How do you typically approach creating something new?

“Lately I’ve been working in different series because they are related and have the same theme. I also have individual pieces, even thought I generally call them by generic names like “Femme”, “Woman” or “Grande Femme”, “Tall woman”.

About the creative process: I look at my previous paintings, the work in progress and take a moment to think about what I want to do. I mainly work with oil paint, which I love. The smooth feeling is so satisfying and reassuring. It allows me to experiment with different layers, shades and colors. I never paint on white canvas, I always apply a layer of very diluted oil, on all the surface which gives the tone to the future painting. Then I wait until the color dries before really start painting. I usually make a quick sketch before starting a new painting where I think about composition. It’s only a raw drawing with curvaceous lines without any intention of color yet. I have many sketchbooks filled with these quick drawings. It rarely ends up exactly the same on canvas but I quite like that.

My use of color is very intuitive, I don’t plan. I listen to my feelings, my mood of the day. I don’t plan, I like to just go for it and play with the color palette.

Lately I have been working on blue, green, beige and yellow palettes because of the new serie “Paysage bleu dans la tête”, inspired by the sea. It’s also very exciting to choose some colors and play with all the different shades endlessly on different pieces. I find that very refreshing.

Most of the time, I work on several pieces at the same time, works on paper, canvas...”

Your ceramics are beautiful as well! Can you tell us a little more about that side of your work? Is that a medium you would like to explore more of?

“Thank you ! I did a very small serie of ceramics 2 years ago and I loved it. I don’t have all the things I need to do that alone in my studio. But I’m doing a collaboration coming very soon this year with a whole serie of ceramics which I co designed and hand painted myself. I’m very excited by this project that I can’t wait to share.

Also, I would love to explore more the sculptural aspect of it. Not necessarily ceramic but definitely some sort of clay.

Explore in a more abstract way, relating to my paintings and having a 3D view of my work. Work on the sensory experience, the movement.”

How is being an artist where you live?

“I live in Paris, France. Of course, the creative culture scene is very strong and important here. We’re so many artists, we have so many art galleries and a lot of great institutions and museums which is very stimulating and inspiring.

Due to the pandemic it has been different for more than a year but still, art galleries have been opened now and then. Usually the city is filled with openings and events and we all miss that.

I’m lucky, my studio is located in a big building dedicated exclusively to artists. So I’m surrounded with good creative energies everyday.”

What are some of your goals for the year? What’s next?

“I have a lot of personal and professional projects planned for this year. A lot of collabs with different brands are coming: home decor like ceramics and rugs, and also collabs with fashion. Hopefully some exhibitions too.

My goals are to expand both my art and my mind, I want to think about different projects and dream big, always.”

Celebrating the Female Form with Zahra Holm