DIREN RAHIM

   Sulaymaniyah — Soza Saleh, a visual artist from the city of Sulaymaniyah in the Kurdistan Region, has been working in the field of ceramics for 16 years, transforming her ideas into three-dimensional artistic works that add beauty and distinction to any space where they are placed.

Six years ago, visual artist Soza Saleh, in partnership with a friend, established a studio dedicated to this art within the cultural workshop in Sulaymaniyah. In this studio, they work together to design and produce numerous handmade ceramic products, such as artistic panels, cups, plates, jars, trays, and decorative pieces. Alongside her continuous work, she also offers training courses for women and children to disseminate and teach this art.

She says: "We work within the framework of contemporary art, and most of my works address women's issues and the problems they face, in addition to the violence practiced against them. My works also express the reality of women's lives in the Kurdistan Region. During the Rojava revolution, I created an artwork depicting a woman with her braid prominently featured, which is one of my most notable works. I also created another piece portraying a woman after her braid was cut, as an expression of a strong woman who was able to overcome all the challenges she faces in society and in war conditions."

Regarding the difficulties and obstacles she encountered in her artistic journey, she explains: "Although women in the Kurdistan Region still face restrictions that limit their freedoms and prevent many from working in the fields they desire or pursuing their passion, I was able, through perseverance and the support I received from my family, to overcome all those obstacles. I believe that women must break the restrictions, step firmly toward achieving their goals, and preserve their nature and identity, because that is the path to success."

She added that this ceramics-specialized studio has been operating for several years, initially starting its activities on a voluntary basis, and later began organizing training courses for all age groups and levels. She noted that "most participants in these courses are women, as they seek to alleviate the psychological and mental pressures resulting from the prevailing masculine mentality in Kurdish society. Working with clay has a significant positive effect on calming the mind, and those who practice this art feel as though they are transported to another world while working."

She pointed out that they have opened courses for children during the summer vacation, receiving children from the age of six. Some children possess a clear artistic talent and are able to learn this art within a short period.

Regarding ceramics, she explained that it encompasses multiple types and methods, each with its own beauty and uniqueness, adding that the works she creates from clay consist of distinctive artistic pieces designated for home decoration, executed with folkloric character and diverse colors. She noted that her goal is to highlight women's capabilities before society, while also providing a source of livelihood for herself and a number of other women.

 

"I Document Femicide with Clay"

Soza Saleh noted that, as an artist, she cannot detach herself from the tragic events unfolding around her. She said that one of the most cruel and painful social phenomena that left a deep impression on her is femicide resulting from family or partner pressure. She added that she has embodied these tragedies in her artistic works, where clay and the body in her sculptures become a means of narrating those painful stories that words cannot express, making art her language for conveying this pain.

In concluding her remarks, Soza Saleh directed a message to women, urging them not to "allow anything to affect their strength and capabilities. Women must break the restrictions, step toward achieving their goals, and preserve their nature and identity, because that is the path to success. Through my art, I hope to convey the message that woman is a force in herself, possessing exceptional capabilities, and is able to depend on herself and stand firmly on her feet."