Following the incredible opportunity of Sophie holding an exhibition and live-painting in the ATRIUM of the ME hotel, Dubai… We thought we would share a little about the legend who designed the space; Zaha Hadid! She really is iconic.
Have a little scroll and read about just why we love her so much!
Zaha Hadid- a little bit about
Hadid (1950-2016) is one of the most influential architectural designers of all time, who became famous for her ‘intensely futuristic architecture’. Her design was characterised by ‘curving façades, sharp angles, and severe materials’ such as concrete steel and glass.
Her projects challenged and transformed ideas of what was thought could be achieved with these materials. The magic in her work being how she created the illusion of both a soft and sturdy appearance using such resources.
Born in Baghdad in 1950, she came from a more classical world…Hadid recalled it was her childhood visits to southern Iraq that ignited the desire to choose a career in Architecture. She went on to study at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London.
In 1980 she started her own architectural firm- ZAHA HADID ARCHITECTS. Her ideas were so sought after, even more so than her physical designs. It was at this time that audiences were introduced to her intricately detailed sketches which illustrated her new modern architectural style.
“Hadid’s projects, many of which transform depending on the viewer’s perspective, turn architectural convention on its head.” - Architectural digest
Zaha Hadid - as a Woman!
In such a male-dominated field, Zaha Hadid was one of the first women to offer a female perspective of architecture. She broke down barriers of what was thought to be ‘classic architecture’ through her sensual designs; she was described by some as the ‘Queen of the curve’.
Hadid was the first woman to receive the Gold Medal from the Royal Institute of British Architects and to win the Pritzker Architecture Prize (2004). However, even since then, the number of women architects in the US has hardly increased.
After winning the Architects’ Journal’s inaugural Jane Drew Prize for “her outstanding contribution to the status of women in architecture” she expressed in an interview for CNN “I used to not like being called a woman architect: I’m an architect, not just a woman architect”. She described how “Guys used to tap me on the head and say, ‘You are O.K. for a girl.’ But I see the incredible amount of need from other women for reassurance that it could be done, so I don’t mind that at all.”
Zaha Hadid paved the way for other female architects. Her death in 2016 sent shockwaves through the architectural world.
Her outstanding contribution to the field was recognised by many institutions globally including the ‘Forbes list of the worlds most powerful women’. She not only left behind an exceptional collection of architectural work but also an assortment of artwork, furniture, interior styling and industrial design too. Her legacy remains through ZAHA HADID ARCHITECTS. Click the button below to watch what they are all about!
Sophie has always been inspired by Hadid; as an architect, designer, artist and woman. It was for all these reasons above that we were so unbelievably excited to get the chance to showcase Sophie Tea Art in the Atrium, designed by Zaha Hadid herself.
Sophie has painted 4 NEW pieces in her time at the ME, DUBAI! These pieces are extra special as they have been created and showcased in the Atrium; absorbing the magic from Hadid’s architectural genius.
To enquire about any of the pieces in the collection please pop an email over to studio@sophieteaart.com.
We hope you feel as inspired as we are after reading about Zaha Hadid, thank you to everyone who is following our Dubai Journey! Make sure to be following on Insta to get all the behind the scenes pics from the trip!
Love you all! xxxxxx
