In the heart of Dubai’s bustling cultural scene, amidst the shimmering facades that adorn its skyline, lies an oasis of profound artistic endeavor. This endeavor seeks to transcend mere aesthetics to touch upon something fundamentally human. At the center of this movement is Slovenian-born photographer and visual artist, Marta Lamovsek. Her work has not only graced galleries and installations from Art Dubai to Abu Dhabi’s vibrant streets but has also captured the essence of unity in a world brimming with segregation.
Serendipitous Beginnings
Lamovsek’s journey into photography began serendipitously. “When I was 22 and still confused about what I wanted to become, I suddenly saw a framed photograph on the wall of the coffee shop where I sat with a friend,” she recalls. It was at that moment Lamovsek realized her life’s purpose lay within the realms of photography. A week later, she became the proud owner of her first camera, marking the inception of a career that would eventually break cultural barriers and foster trust among strangers.
A Profound Mantra
Over two decades have passed since that fateful day in the coffee shop, and Lamovsek’s mantra today remains profound: “It can be uncomfortable yet at the same time beautiful to connect with strangers.” This ethos resonates through her work, which has seen collaboration with some of fashion’s most prestigious names like Burberry, Dior, and Tom Ford. However, it was British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood who left an indelible mark on Lamovsek. Renowned for her climate change activism, Westwood’s vision aligned perfectly with Lamovsek’s own ideals. “I saw this with my own eyes… And she was so right,” reflects Lamovsek on Westwood’s commitment to environmental causes.
Art Practice and Spiritual Awakening
Marta Lamovsek’s art practice is deeply rooted in connecting beings to their higher self-consciousness through an immersive experience that melds transformative portraiture art with spiritual awakening. Her works are more than just portraits; they are visual narratives that celebrate unity consciousness while honoring Mother Earth and promoting equality across cultures. Drawing from her background in fashion photography and inspired by global cultural traditions, Lamovsek seeks to transcend social identities through her art, which gazes “into the heart, the soul, and the divinity of all multidimensional beings.”
Highlighting Marginalized Voices
Her installations have become highlights at prestigious events such as Art Dubai and Dubai Design District’s Blue Cave Urban Festival, where she showcased ‘Plastic Garden,’ a tribute to Pakistani gardeners and laborers living in Satwa. These pieces not only shine a light on often overlooked members of society but also underscore Lamovsek’s ability to see kindness, dignity, good-heartedness, and humbleness – values deeply ingrained in humanity.
Self-Exploration and New Avenues
During periods of self-isolation prompted by global health crises, Lamovsek turned inward both literally and figuratively by exploring self-portraiture inspired by Steven Arnold. This period led to profound realizations about home being one’s temple – sparking new avenues for artistic expression rooted in meditation practices.
Celebrating Cultural Diversity
The project, initially known as a ‘Icon Booth Project’ in 2021, has since evolved and transformed into the Sacred Queendom Artist Studio. This unique space functions both as a venue for participatory art activations and as the official name of the artist’s studio. It represents another facet of her commitment to showcasing cultural equality above all else.
A Call for Unity
As we navigate through challenging times marked by pandemics testing our collective resilience, Marta believes these are moments calling for unity over division. “This pandemic has given us a test that the world must come together as one,” states Lamovsek thoughtfully.
Marta Lamovsek stands out not only for her exceptional talent behind the lens but also for her dedication to using art as a medium for social change – inspiring collective healing and liberation through empowering art that speaks volumes about unity consciousness. For those interested in embarking on this transformative journey alongside Marta or simply wishing to behold her captivating portraits infused with deep meanings and connections, they can follow her creative path via Instagram @Martalamovsek or reach out directly through Sacred Queendom Artist Studio, based in Dubai ([email protected]).
In every portrait taken by Marta Lamovsek lies an invitation: To gaze deeper beyond our reflections towards embracing our shared humanity – united in diversity yet bound by common threads of love, compassion, inner wisdom, and the majesty of unconditional love. Let us heed this call together, inspiring magic and divine purpose together.
Beena Yusuf
Editor in Chief
www.shemagazineusa.com
