Beyond the Brushstrokes: Zeinab Diomande’s Artistic Vision

by Rubén Palma
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Zeinab Diomande, a vibrant soul known affectionately as “Z The Rat”, paints her world in hues as vivid as her spirit. Born in the heart of Virginia in 1999, her family’s journey led them back to their ancestral roots in the Ivory Coast. It was there, amidst the vibrant tapestry of West African culture, that she found her artistic voice.

In 2017, Diomande embarked on a new chapter, trading the sun-kissed shores of the Ivory Coast for the bustling streets of Philadelphia. Here, she immersed herself in the rich artistic landscape, pursuing a BFA in Fine Arts with a concentration in painting and drawing at the University of the Arts.

Diomande’s work is a testament to her resilience and her unwavering spirit. She delves deep into the complexities of mental health, drawing inspiration from her own experiences as a Black woman. Her canvases are a kaleidoscope of emotions, where warm colors and bold strokes intertwine to create a world that is both familiar and fantastical.

With a keen eye for the ordinary, Diomande transforms the mundane into the extraordinary. She reimagines familiar objects and symbols, infusing them with new meaning and significance. Through her art, she invites us to see the world through a fresh lens, challenging our perceptions and inspiring us to embrace our own unique narratives.

Hi Zeinab! It’s a pleasure to sit down with you! First question that I always ask. How does a regular day look like for you in Philadelphia?

My day generally starts the same! I like to start by listening to some music on NTS radio (which i totally didn’t have playing all night lol) cook a good breakfast, clean my airbrush and paint brushes, reorganizing things and brainstorming some ideas for what I’d like to be working on next after that I like to answer my emails, do some stretches because standing up for hours on end when working on a piece gave me terrible back pain. Later during the day I’ll make sure i have enough supplies to work with and if not I’ll text my boyfriend and he can get grab some on his way back home and once i have what i need i like to get started on my real day: nighttime all nighters. 

I’m curious. Growing up in the Ivory Coast, what kind of kid were you, what did you enjoy doing and how did you spend your time?

Growing up i was a very extroverted kid, i wasn’t afraid to speak my mind most of the time, very confrontational and outspoken. I got quieter around my pre teens to my late teens. I loved to play dress up and play outside with my little brother since we aren’t too far apart in age. I feel like imagination and expressing myself has always been a big part of my life and my mom was the blueprint for that. 

While we’re on the topic, being an Ivorian American, can you tell me about your upbringing and how it has influenced you?

I was born in Virginia but i grew up in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) where my parents are from. It’s an interesting experience for sure. I have always wrestled with having a dual identity and thought it was interesting to know that i wasn’t fully immersed in one place or the other and that’s something i started working with. The environments i like to depict are very volatile and not here or there just like me. My identity is made up of both places, so i like to implement things that remind me of both while adding my own spin to it! 

You’ve been pretty open about your bipolar disorder. Can you tell me about that? And how has it influenced your work or affected your practice?

I have! It’s been a ride to get that figured out. I was misdiagnosed when i was 14 but it turned out to be Bipolar disorder. It’s a complicated mental disorder since it’s mood related but i learned a lot living with it and how it affects my work. I know for example that during a depressive episode, the work will be more focused and less dispersed whereas when I’m having a hypomanic episode it’s definitely more all over the place since i can’t focus on a lot of things if anything at all. I like to use art as a way to gauge how I’m feeling and the different states i find myself in. It’s always been a good indicator and outlet in terms of how it affects my work flow as well. 

So when did you start to paint, and when did you start taking being an artist seriously?

I started painting in 2021. People always look at me with big eyes when i say this. I used to draw a lot and make these oil pastel and color pencil drawings that could easily pass as paintings but they weren’t! I feel like i have taken being an artist seriously since my first year of art school. In my head it was “this has to work or this has to work, however long it takes”;there’s no other option so i have always been driven in that sense. 

The various dreamlike and surreal scenes in your work. What’s the story behind them?

I mentioned earlier that play and imagination were big parts of my childhood and i feel like that’s what makes me still create worlds that pertain to these ideas. I like to paint environments and atmospheres where my figures can dream, exist in, away from the troubles of the mundane, without trying to prove anything. I really put the emphasis on dreamlike worlds in my work because this is what my inner child would’ve wanted; i make things happen for her, for us. 

Same thing goes for the various motifs and subjects. Who are they? And what do you look for when choosing your next protagonist?

The subjects i depict are me and a little of the people in my life for the most part and parts of me that i am exploring so in a way alter egos. When i think about my next protagonist, i like to look for stories. I love story telling. It’s generally a combination of my own story and stories that i am being told juxtaposed together. Think about it like a quilt.

Can you tell me about which topics or themes that are important for you to document through your work?

Topics i find interesting is the idea of the self as a multifaceted and complex entity, alter egos, mental health, the Black body and dual identity. 

I know that you’re able to associate certain sounds with your paintings, when you’re listening to music. Can you tell me about that as well?

Yes!! Music, has played a huge part in my life. My mom is a music head so i grew up listening to music from all over the world and she would sing to me in all kinds of languages when i was little. I started associating sounds to my work by looking at certain elements in my pieces that would remind me of specific instruments. I find a lot of musicality in my work for someone who doesn’t play any instruments. I feel like it stems from being exposed to so much music early on that i am able to hear sounds through my own creations. 

So what are you hoping to convey to us viewers?

I want the viewer to also be able to see part of and think about themselves when they look at the work. Being able to let your mind wander and ponder. I really want people to feel something, maybe also hear something when they look at it. 

Can you walk me through your creative process, from beginning to end result?

I like to start by warming up. I’ll set the mood with some music (obviously) something to get my mind in the right space. I’ll be gathering my supplies, making sure they are clean enough to start. Once i have everything i need around me, i start an initial sketch of the figure. I always have a sketch before i start laying colors, it makes things move faster and it’s just a good way for me to know what I’m doing.

I’ll be going through 2-3 songs before i settle then I’ll start painting. Typically, it takes me 5-8 hours to complete a painting or drawing. I will lay my first colors as a base over the sketch and start building the rest once i have a good color foundation. It’s a very tedious process but it’s almost crucial for how things will turn out.

My backgrounds generally come last, as i focus most of my time on the figure. Depending on what the figures look like, i like to have the overall vibe of the piece reflect that. Once i have this down, it’s only a matter of minor adjustments and tweaks to make sure I’m where i need to be. I forgot to mention that i did all of this while listening to one song over and over again lol. Once i am done, I’m generally exhausted so i slack on cleaning my supplies but i never go more than one day without cleaning them properly. 

Can you also tell me about your use of symbolism?

I use a lot of symbolism in my work mostly to emphasize certain aspects of a piece. For example if I’m talking about the idea of blossoming and metamorphosis, you will see a butterfly on the piece. Certain motifs I use as metaphors often are spider webs or flowers. I also paint a lot of water drops, to symbolize two things: feelings and the idea of growth. 

How do you deal with creative blocks?

I take breaks! Breaks help a lot. I like to step away and let my mind rest. Rest is something that i try to prioritize when i feel overworked and just frustrated with where I’m at. 

Can you describe your studio practice for me? And are there any necessities you have to have with you or present in the studio?

Music! I can’t possibly imagine working in silence. I tried it and it’s never worked the way i wanted to so it’s very important that i have some background noise when i work. I also like burning some incense, i like a cozy vibe something that makes me feel at home. 

In a parallel universe who would you be? and what would you be doing?

In a parallel universe, I’d be a ballerina. I’d be dancing all the time and have my own dance studio and dance to whatever music i want to.

Can you tell me a story about a time when a connection with someone had a big impact on you?

When i moved into my first apartment there’s this older lady that was working at the chiropractor next to my building and i would only see her when i was having a bad day. Somehow, she always knew what words i needed to hear and it would always work and brighten my day. I would only rarely see her and i can’t wrap my head around the fact that i would only see her when i needed it. She told me once “never let them dim your light, you are way stronger than you think”. I think about our interactions and her a lot. Hope she is doing great. 

What qualities do you find most important in the people you choose to spend time with?

I like people who are honest and secure in who they are. People that don’t need outside validation, who carry themselves with good intentions. It’s easy for me to spot people who emanate authenticity, and honesty and that’s the type of people i like to surround myself with. I also really like funny people because i love a good laugh. 

Real quick. What’s the story behind your nickname Z the Rat?

Z the Rat started in high school as a joke when i told my friends i was really into rodents and watching videos on YouTube about them. I’d still get a pet rat but i have two cats. They don’t mix unfortunately. 

Anybody you look up to?

Yes! I really like self portrait artists such as Renée Cox, Zanele Muholi but also non figurative artists like Moe Brooker and Bob Thompson. 

How do you approach color?

The way i approach color is very intuitive. I don’t necessarily understand color theory but i have an understanding of contrast so i know what color could potentially go together and make something interesting and eye catching. 

What motivates you?

Knowing that someone out there has been impacted by the work i made. We all come from different walks of life and knowing that it’s making a difference in someone’s life is something that pushes me to keep going. I know the world needs artists so I’d like to be included in that. 

How would you describe a perfect day?

The perfect day, would be meeting up with my friends for a dinner party where we would show each other our favorite recipes and just enjoy each other’s presence. Have some good music playing, little dance party and we’d be  enjoying the food over good conversations! 

Alright Zeinab. I always ask these two questions at the end of an interview. The first is. What’s your favorite movie(s) and why?

One of my favorite movies i have ever watched is called “House” (1977) it’s a Japanese comedy horror movie with a lot of visually satisfying moments. I really like the cinematography i am a sucker for good visuals and this movie delivered. 

The second is. What song(s) are you currently listening to the most right now? 

A song that i listen to a lot right now is Sneeky Steps by SideShow. I am drawn to melodies most of the time and can disregard lyrics almost entirely and i LOVE the beat he’s rapping over. 

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