Artist Residency, Tania Saleh

Lebanese artist Tania Saleh is undertaking a residency at The Grange, Norfolk to create new work.

August / September 2024

Tania Saleh, Ziryab project visuals

The Foundation for Art & Psychoanalysis, in collaboration with Grange Projects is pleased to be supporting an artistic residency by Lebanese multidisciplinary artist Tania Saleh in August/September 2024 at The Grange, Norfolk, UK.

During her residency at The Grange, Tania Saleh will work on an illustrated book which will pay homage to the ninth century cultural figure Ziryab. Ziryab, also known as “the black bird” was a singer, oud player, composer, poet, designer, culinary artist and teacher, born in Mosul (in 789 A.D.) He introduced the oud to Andalusia after adding a fifth string to it and developing plectrum playing. As a singer, he developed poetic and vocal techniques which later gave birth to “Flamenco” As a composer, he composed music to thousands of melodic poems sung throughout the Mediterranean basin. He was the minister of art and culture of Córdoba at the time. In this region, Muslims, Christians and Jews interacted with unparalleled tolerance.

Tania Saleh will create a book containing a series of illustrated visuals that will tell Ziryab’s story from the point of view of his favourite student, Manfaa, a true ”human recorder” who has preserved his melodies and innovative ideas. A live concert will celebrate the release of the book and will be accompanied by the illustrated visuals as backdrops. Remembering Ziryab's art in 2025, will be a reflection of his innovative spirit, artistic vision, and commitment to pushing the boundaries of tradition, cementing his legacy as a pioneering figure in the world of music and visual arts.

About the Artist

Tania Saleh  is a Lebanese singer/songwriter and visual artist. Born in 1969, she has made significant contributions to the music and arts scene in Lebanon and beyond. She is known for her distinctive voice, thoughtful lyrics, and a blend of various musical styles, including traditional Levantine and Arabic, folk, jazz, alternative rock and electronic music.

In addition to her musical career, Tania Saleh has been involved in visual arts, working as an illustrator and animator. She is not only known for her artistic contributions but also for her engagement in cultural projects and workshops. She has conducted workshops such as "Audio Loves Visual" exploring the historical relationship between music and visual elements (at many art schools including Les Gobelins and Berklee College of Music) and “Stencil Art Creation” finding simple and effective creative ways of engaged artistic expression (at Siena Art School and the Lebanese American University).

As a freelance creative director, she has worked for the BBC World Service, Arthur D. Little, Wieden & Kennedy and Publicis Groupe as well as many film directors, cultural institutions and Lebanese artists including Fairouz, Ziad Rahbani, Charbel Rouhana and Nadine Labaki. In her early years, she was one of the team of graphic designers who created the graphic identity of the Lebanese TV station Future Television between 1990 and 1992