ARTIVIEW by ARCHES® Hadil Salih – Mezzotint engraving
Tell us about yourself
My name is Hadil Salih. I was born in 1990 and have French-Iraqi roots. I combine drawing, ceramics, engraving, Arabic calligraphy and sculpture for dance, using a collage-based approach. Influenced by anthropology, philosophy and botany, I see heterogeneity as a driving force in my creative process.
My work draws on the age-old tradition of Arabic calligraphy, the English Arts & Crafts movement of the late 19th century, with its vision of uniting fine and decorative arts, and the French Art dans Tout movement (c. 1900), which broke down the barriers between art and craftsmanship.
My pieces weave together metamorphoses, multilingual communication between species and connections with the invisible. My drawings and engravings seem to emerge from a dream where reality becomes all the more strange, magical and fantastical.
My work is on display at institutions such as the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, the Carreau du Temple, Cartier International and the Institut du monde arabe.
Teaching is also an important part of my practice, and I’ve had the opportunity to lead workshops at the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, the Musée Rodin, the Carreau du Temple, the Institut du Monde Arabe, the Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac and the École normale supérieure in Paris (ENS Ulm).
What techniques do you use? Could you explain what mezzotint is?
I mainly practise mezzotint engraving, although I also work with drawing, calligraphy and collage, and sometimes I create more performative pieces that incorporate movement and dance. My work explores the connections between living things, natural forms and the imagination.
Mezzotint is a fascinating engraving technique because it works from dark to light. First, a plate is prepared so that it’s entirely black; then, forms emerge as certain areas are gradually polished. The more the surface is scraped, the lighter those areas will appear in the print. It’s a slow, meticulous, almost meditative process. What I enjoy the most is the feeling of revealing the image rather than drawing it.
© Hadil Salih – Mezzotint on Velin BFK Rives® paper
Why is Velin BFK Rives® paper suitable for this technique?
Mezzotint is all about incredibly subtle gradations of tone. You have to be able to achieve deep blacks while preserving a rich range of transitions and half-tones.
I like Velin BFK Rives® because it renders this full range of values so faithfully. Its texture, flexibility and ability to absorb ink help preserve the delicacy of the engraved work.
ARCHES® paper in one word?
Softness.
What are the subjects that inspire you?
I’m deeply inspired by the living world. My work is based on research in anthropology, ethology and palaeoanthropology. I explore the relationships between humans, animals and plants, as well as the forms of coexistence that connect us to the natural world. I’m also interested in myths, metamorphoses, the traces left behind by living beings, and the stories that shape our collective imagination.
© Hadil Salih, Hiboux – Mezzotint on Velin BFK Rives® paper
© Hadil Salih, Iris – Mezzotint on Velin BFK Rives® paper
© Hadil Salih, Lune – Mezzotint on Velin BFK Rives® paper
Tell us about a decisive moment in your career as an artist
I wouldn’t say there was one specific moment; rather, a whole series of encounters and experiences gradually transformed the way I work.
One important turning point was when I began working with artists from other disciplines, particularly dance, music and writing. This had a profound impact on my creative process and continues to influence my work today.
In your opinion, who is the greatest artist of all time?
I’d have a hard time choosing a single artist. Every period in history has offered its own way of seeing the world and its own unique forms of genius.
Do you have any other projects on the go or planned?
I’m currently carrying out several research projects on the relationships between different forms of life; these will give rise to new series of prints and drawings.
I’m also working on collaborative projects with artists from other fields, as these exchanges are a huge source of inspiration for my practice. Lastly, sharing knowledge remains very important to me. I enjoy creating spaces where people can meet and experiment with different approaches that, in turn, enrich my own work as an artist.
