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Expressionist and cubist artist Fatema Alsada’s colourful creations made a vibrant impression in one of Sweden’s popular art and food festivals.
The 30-year-old self-taught painter’s eye-catching pieces landed her a spot in the Svamp Festival Selaön in Stallarholmen, Sweden in September, which is a family-friendly event featuring art and educational workshops, hikes as well as food-tasting revolving around the miniature-living organisms…the mighty mushrooms.
“I received a message from the organiser of a mushroom festival who discovered my art on Instagram and admired my work,” said Fatema, who works in finance and has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the American University of Sharjah.
“He invited me to participate in the event, which featured workshops on mushrooms, food, and art. Recognising it as a fantastic opportunity to showcase my mushroom-themed art and try something new, I enthusiastically accepted.”
She spent two months working diligently to create two paintings that convey the profound connection between nature and humans.
“The first painting utilised a harmonious blend of colours and textures to capture the natural hues, while the second embraced a vibrant and playful palette,” said Fatema from Busaiteen. “Upon arriving at the festival, located an hour away from Stockholm, I was thrilled to find that the experience surpassed all expectations.”
Svamp in Swedish means fungus, mushroom or sponge and the enriching two-day festival featured an array of activities for visitors to learn the health benefits of fungi and more.
Not only do mushrooms provide a savoury flavour to meals without adding much fat, calories or sodium, researchers have also uncovered that they can help ward off chronic disease and improve health by decreasing the risk of cancer, promoting low cholesterol, protecting brain health, stimulating a healthier gut and more.
During the festival, people were shown a variety of fungus and how to forage for them in the woods as well as learning what is poisonous and what is good to add in different dishes.
The festival included five mushroom consultants, a mycologist and several experts as well as chefs who served up tips and tricks to cook mushrooms in the kitchen.
Fatema’s works were displayed in the art exhibition alongside different shapes of mushrooms that were being modelled.
In the children’s workshop, there was a moderately difficult guided walk, a mushroom craft and bonfire followed by more festive fun.
“The event provided a chance to meet local artists, immerse myself in the culture and explore the nearby forest teeming with diverse mushrooms,” said Fatema.
“Witnessing the positive reception of my art by festival attendees brought immense joy, and overall, the entire experience was precisely what I had envisioned.”
For further details, follow @fatema_art on Instagram.
