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Rana Bulbul

Early Life and Artistic Awakening

Rana Bulbul (b. 1988) is a self-taught Lebanese painter and art-film creator who was born in Beirut and studied Graphic Design at the Lebanese American University.

From a very young age, Bulbul was constantly drawing and creating, although she only began painting a few years ago. Previously, she had focused on writing to articulate her thoughts and feelings, she has explained, but found words were not enough to capture the depth of what she was feeling. Then, one day, waking early with an urge to express herself differently, she picked up a brush and began to paint, in a move that marked the beginning of her ongoing journey as an artist.

Artistic Philosophy and Influences

In Bulbul’s words or worlds, as she describes them: “I don’t do art for the sake of art. I use art as a medium to translate what’s in my mind’s eye. My paintings do feature many abstract figures, which reflects my own autobiographical exploration into my mind, thoughts, feelings and personal life,” she has said. “Through the use of meditation, self-reflection, intense curiosity, passion for science and film-making, I am expressing my affinity to the natural world that developed within me from a very young age.”

Themes and Subject Matter

Brought to life in acrylic paint on canvas, her figures are often almost or semi-nude, sometimes alone and at other times in an embrace, aligned with an intriguing mix of elements from the diverse worlds of science and nature, which give the works a kaleidoscopic, frenetic feel. Bulbul has described her process as often beginning with an intense burst of emotion or a specific thought that she feels compelled to explore. “The initial idea might be something abstract - a feeling, a memory, a question I can’t quite answer, or a response to something I’ve observed and reflected upon. I simply let my mind wander freely, allowing myself to be pulled in multiple directions. It could feel very chaotic, so when I paint, I don’t plan every detail in advance - they emerge organically,” she has said.

Creative Process and Techniques

Her artworks explore the themes of the subconscious mind, spirituality, science and the constant search of self-discovery and self-mastery, with the idea behind her art revolving around the understanding of the universal balance between the form and the formless in relation to the evolution of the human consciousness. “By challenging the pre-conditioned mind governed by limited belief systems, I aim to redefine our individuality by breaking social conventions,” she has said.

Exploration of Art Films

In her art films, meanwhile, Bulbul delves deep into the human psyche, exploring themes of life, death and, again, the transient nature of our existence. Commenting on this choice of medium, she has said: “You can say using art films is an extension of my desire to tell the stories beyond just the canvas. It translates my paintings into motion. While painting allows me to capture a moment, film provides a dynamic medium that involves movement. It creates a more immersive or multi-sensory experience. It allows a more fluid narrative, a new dimension for expression.”

Recent Works and Notable Series

Bulbul has described her latest series of paintings, titled ‘Le jeu d’amour’ as an exploration of humanity’s darker, even more absurd side combined with playfulness and brutal honesty. The series, she has explained, highlights the notion that love and human interaction can be a complex game, a tension between the light and the dark facets of the human experience.

Exhibitions and Recognition

Bulbul’s work was exhibited in a solo show, titled ‘The Evolution of Human Consciousness’, at Kaf Gallery, Ashrafieh, Beirut (2022). She has also taken part in a group exhibition at Chaos Gallery, Beirut, with artc_collective.