Public Affairs

AUK Department of Art and Graphic Design hosted a talk by Zahra Marwan, an artist and illustrator who discussed her career in Kuwait and New Mexico. Moderated by associate professor of art and graphic design, Clark Stoeckley, the talk gave students the opportunity to get an insider’s perspective through being exposed to a leading designer’s artwork.  
 
Zahra began by discussing her career path. Working as a traditional artist with watercolor and ink, she creates work that reflects her cultural roots in Kuwait and her life now in New Mexico. Zahra showed her entire process of illustrating and authoring children’s books, including reference photography, concept sketches, drafts sent to her editors, and the final layout.  
 
During the presentation, she read her debut picture book, Where Butterflies Fill the Sky, published by Bloomsbury Books in 2022 and named one of the New York Times / New York Public Library Best Illustrated books.  
 
Commenting on the event, professor Stoeckley highlighted the significance of such talks and why they are important to host, “Through these guest lectures, AUK Design majors are exposed to real-world successful artists, designers, and entrepreneurs to hear their stories and advice and to build awareness of the expectations of the field. Our students can interact with leading authors, designers, and illustrators, learn about their career path, research, writing, and work, and hear of the best practices to develop a unique identity.”  
 
The event concluded with a Q&A session in which the audience asked thought-provoking questions, instigating engaging dialogue and discussion. Events as such provide students with invaluable insights into the design industry and the opportunity to learn from experts to apply key theoretical concepts to real-life experiences.  
 
Zahra Marwan holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New Mexico in Languages and Literature, with a minor in Flamenco Dance and History and a minor in Philosophy. She studied the visual arts in France works with museums, non-profits, theater companies, and cultural centers. She is honored with the UN Human Rights Commission award for creating art that brings visibility to indigenous groups and minority rights. She maintains her studio at the Harwood Art Center, where she incorporates Kuwaiti tendencies into her daily life. 
 
 

Zahraa Marwan during her presentation