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Zarifi Haidar

Biography:

Zarifi Haidar Marín is an Architect, Urban Designer and a self-taught Illustrator based in Beirut, Lebanon. Zarifi obtained her BS in Architectural Engineering in 2005 and, since then, she has been working as an architectural consultant designing, developing and managing a wide range of projects in Lebanon and the region. Zarifi earned her MS degree in Urban Design from the American University of Beirut (2016) and has taught at the Beirut Arab University, lectured at the American University of Beirut and participated in various design workshops and researches in Lebanon and Europe. In addition to her experience in the fields of architecture and design, she is a self-taught Illustrator and has worked on a couple of award winning children books. Zarifi is passionate about art and design and spends most of her free time taking photos, creating, drawing and doodling. She illustrates to smile and get smiles from those looking at her work.

Statement:

“A doodle a day keeps the psychologist away” has been my favorite motto for a long time. A few years ago, I started doodling as a way of expressing my frustrations, worries, and even my anxieties. I doodled almost every day, everywhere and anywhere; and, thanks to this practice, I learned to create something funny out of the events that are pulling me down. Today, I see the world in colors. I do not only try to find the bright side of things, but I invent it if I cannot find it and I encourage others to do the same. I doodle and draw as often as I can. Any surface on which I can capture my emotions and thoughts is a valid canvas and my favorite tools are those at hand. Most of the time – for practical reasons – these end up being my A5 sketchbook, ink liner pens and mobile phone. But I am always eager to learn, experiment and play with different techniques. What do I want to say with my art? Smile. Cry. Celebrate your emotions and humanity. Contemplate nature, the little miracles and tiniest details. Treasure the genuine. Find beauty wherever you are.”