Kiyan

I didn't linger in the studio for a long period. The mid-things were no longer accommodating. Afterward, I moved to a place not different from before, where her spirit hangs in the atmosphere she now inhabits.
-2022-
Up until this moment, Kiyan still revels in the embrace of her beautiful spirit, a creation tailored uniquely for her essence. She continues to perceive the world as we do, weaving through a life filled with enchanting artistic escapades and mesmerizing endeavors. Our journey has witnessed thrilling fluctuations, and there's still much more awaiting our exploration.

-2023-

In 2019, the inception of my first art studio marked a collaborative venture with artist "Adel". Upon entering, I encountered a lifeless form, symbolizing untapped potential. Unconsciously, I transformed it into my inaugural artwork, "Muntasaf" adorning it with a mask and yellow cloth. This marked the birth of an artistic entity on December 19, 2019, representing a transformative journey within the studio – a creation imbued with life and meaning.
she began to embody a distinct presence within the space, intertwining with my artistic photography endeavors. She became the focal point, the first gaze when I sought to experiment with a new image or composition that necessitated a human element for proper scaling and depth.

This artistic journey saw her metamorphosis into more than just a person occupying space; she became an integral part of my visual exploration, adding a human dimension to my artistic expressions and experiments.

-2020-

In 2020, she became "Kiyan" Named for the profound connection between what she wears and my essence, each garment symbolizes a part of my life journey. These pieces transcend mere clothing, evolving into artifacts with personal significance, weaving a visual narrative of my existence.
In the studio, Entity transforms into a wise figure, donning attire reminiscent of southern grandmothers. This choice coincided with artist"Samar Al-Maliki" visit, adding cultural and artistic layers to the visual narrative. Entity becomes a symbol of cultural wisdom, intertwining personal and collective stories within the artistic realm.
-2020-
The unwelcome arrival of "Covid-19" shattered my pursuit of passion and dreams. In this series, Entity symbolizes our mandated quarantine, left in the studio as I retreated home just before streets closed. It captures the internal struggles during isolation, reflecting the profound changes brought about by the pandemic.
-2020-
As the period of quarantine concluded and life slowly resumed its natural course, Adel returned to us. He brought with him the attire classified as "Al-Musannaf," belonging to his grandmother. Entity adorned this attire as we captured an enduring image, symbolizing the return of life to this beautiful space. The photograph encapsulates the essence of resilience and the revival of moments, marking a poignant celebration of life's renewal in this serene setting.
-2020-

In the ebb and flow of life, Adel and I decided to halt our studio journey. We detached from the space, aiding each other in preparing and relocating our belongings. This act of relocation signifies both a physical and metaphoric transition, carrying with it the weight of memories and experiences from this artistic chapter.

-2020-

Afterward, I moved to another studio, embarking on a new creative journey as I established a production company, with Kiyan playing a pivotal role as the primary assistant.

-2020-

In this phase, Kiyan became a significant presence for people, receiving special visits and gifts. Wearing the attire "Al-Musannaf," a gift from dear friend "Hassan Al-Malik", Entity has become a symbol. A captured moment with Entity, photographed by "Anas Al-Areeni", encapsulates the essence of this artistic connection.

-2020-

I was unaware of the profound inspiration Entity imparts to the space, particularly to me. The contemplative hours spent observing Entity near the window evoke a sensory experience, allowing you to see what it sees and hear what it hears.

-2021-

Here marked the inception of Entity's first official photoshoot.
-2021-
My sojourn in the place lasted no more than six months. I prepared to depart to another location almost unexpectedly, realizing then that the artist's life is indeed like that of a butterfly—constantly fluctuating, never ceasing, and always brimming with everything.

-2021-

During my transitional period and the search for a new place to dwell, Kiyan stayed at the home of my friend, "Hassan Al-Malik", It was the safest place for her, as it's not strange for Kiyan to wander among Hassan's thoughts. She is a good listener, always responding sincerely.

-2021-

After a thankful search, not much time passed before I found a new place. It had a beautiful space, and I began the continuation of my journey in another company, reaching the midpoint of where I am now. When starting the restoration and preparation of the place, I brought Kiyan to cast her gaze upon her new location and to choose her spot, as she does every time.

-2021-

Our souls found comfort in the space, and Kiyan discovered her sanctuary in observing the outside world through the window. It became a sacred realm for her with spiritual boundaries defined.

-2021-

One day, I decided to modify how Kiyan dressed, attempting to make her attire more orderly and connected to her. I found that this approach is more beautiful in highlighting the lines and threads at the edges of "Al-Musannaf."

-2021-

Kiyan - Contemporary art - Multimedia - 2019 until now

Kiyan, 2026
Hybrid Print, 70 x 60 cm
Hand-printed using a hybrid CMYK process with laser-engraved plates and offset inks.
This work was produced in a limited edition of three artist copies, in addition to one Artist Proof (AP). Each copy bears its own number and comes accompanied by a certificate of authenticity documenting the details of the work and the edition number.

Kiyan - 2026| Artistic Photographic Concept | Hybrid Print

From Image to Impression
-2026-

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After years of Kiyan existing as a body, a character, and a recurring image within my practice, I began exploring how the work could move into another physical form.
For some time, I had been hesitant to print Kiyan. I did not want the work to become an ordinary print or simply a digital image transferred onto paper. Some works, despite the beauty of their digital existence, seem to resist remaining only that.
The process began in collaboration with artist Samar Al-Malki, Drawing on her experience in printmaking, we began searching for a method that could preserve the image’s quality and detail while still allowing the final work to be produced by hand.
After a period of experimentation, we developed a hybrid printing process based on separating the image into colour layers and printing them manually using engraved plates. The printing itself took four days, preceded by two full days of preparation and testing.
An important part of the process was finding the right paper. Together with Mohammed Al-Ansari at Al-E Studio, we tested several paper types before arriving at one that felt appropriate for both the printing method and the physical character of the work.
The printing journey then continued at the studio of Dr. Ahmed Mater, whose support and encouragement played an important role in helping the process develop further. The journey was also documented through the lens of Moaath Alyahya.
What emerged from this experience was not simply a printed version of Kiyan, but a new way of thinking about how an image can become something else — something physical, tactile, variable, and marked by the hand and by time.
Each impression becomes an independent physical outcome, carrying subtle variations that emerge naturally through the manual printing process.
This edition marks a new chapter in the life of Kiyan, and the beginning of a broader exploration of how my photographic works can move beyond the image and take on a physical form.

The images and artworks bear the copyright of Khaled Al-Ataf 2026