Sculptor Nermine Kashef finds dreams and not screams in skulls

Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

Nermine Kashef is a sculptor and an artist and the Founder of Skullpture Nation by NK. She has been always passionate about arts and culture and got the chance to work with renowned artists and talents for over ten years now, though she has a corporate career.

As per confession, she has been shying away from the spotlight - but made a decision she will focus more on her art in 2022 and unleash her love for sculpting skulls and what is more, share it with the world.

She aims to shed a positive light on the skull figure and make it aesthetically pleasing, that people would see the beauty she sees in skulls through her eyes.  Skullpture Nation by NK is an online gallery where Kashef shares her “skullptures”. She has just launched her new collection called “The Chalk Collection — A Spin on a Classic Classroom Favourite”. It is a collection of pastel coloured skulls, inspired by coloured chalk.

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“I get inspired by everything around me, which definitely includes nature and animals,” Kashef says. “But not only that,” she adds, “I see beauty in everything I encounter on daily basis; I get inspired by the little things that others might find ‘normal’ or ‘not special’”. Reinforced by Walaa Biltagy of Willy B Photography’s scintillating — skulltilating — photographs, Kashef speaks to Gulf Today 

Why are you attracted to skulls as an art medium? They have a rather sinister reputation ...

I have been always fascinated by skulls for as far as I can remember. I found myself drawn to the shape of skulls and never questioned the “whys” behind it. I have been unintentionally collecting various items that came my way with skulls on them, throughout the years, from printed tees, key chains to mugs, luggage tags, accessories, stickers, and more … even one of my favourite perfume brands had a logo linked to skulls!

So, it seems that skulls are finding their way towards me, and not the opposite. I also believe that my love for the 90s and early 2000s pop punk, pop rock and alternative rock music genres and artists, contributed to my unexplainable love for skulls, as plenty of artists used the skull symbol in a cool and catchy colourful way in their music clips.  I’m also not superstitious; I feel like that not only various objects get this false sinister reputation but also creatures, such as black cats for example, and cats in general, who are in fact magnificent creatures with a very sensitive nature!

 Nermine Kashef is the Founder of Skullpture Nation by NK .

Also, crows who happen to be a highly intelligent animal specie. I feel like we need to open our hearts & minds, educate ourselves, and learn more about what we don’t really know or refuse to accept.

What is the artistic philosophy of skulls? Hamlet had an encounter with one ...

I believe that when it comes to literature, skulls represent death, mortality and the unachievable state of immortality - and with that, usually a state of melancholy, gloom, depression or low spirit follows. However, my personal philosophy, when it comes to the art I am creating, is quite the opposite - or at least that’s what I am trying to manifest.

Do the skulls serve as memento mori or are they just art pieces? Or both? 

To me, my ‘Skullpture Nation’ skulls represent a celebration of life and a symbol of courage and strength. This is in addition to having a fun and playful side to them. However, given that art is a captivating medium of expression where artists are free to express themselves, at the same time people are also free when it comes to interpreting art.

Do you think they will work as decorative/functional pieces? Will they fit into a drawing room/board room?

They definitely will! I work on making my skulls aesthetically pleasing where even a person who doesn’t like skulls, might change their mind and would want to get one as a decorative art piece that would pop and stand out in their living space, office or anywhere they wish.

How do you think skulls brighten up living spaces?

Skullpture Nation skulls are aesthetically pleasing with a fun and playful side to them; they are versatile and can be used as planters, flowerpots, jewellery and small objects storage and more. There’s a huge world out there for me to explore when it comes to colours, patterns and mediums; the options are endless.

Will colour be able to soften the skulls’ possible menace?

Colours definitely contribute to that. This is in addition to the skulls’ overall artistic look and feel. For example, my new collection, given its pastel colour palette and colour range, instantly threw me back to when I was a kid in school, holding this magical coloured cheerful chalks box in my hand and writing on the blackboard in between classes.

Who are the artists who inspire you?  Albert Durer, Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso have used skull imagery in their works ...

In general ‘not skulls related’: Vincent van Gogh’s art and story touch me the most. I have been to ‘Being Van Gogh’ immersive digital experience at the Theatre of Digital Art, Dubai, and I felt like I was a part of his paintings. From stepping into Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Almond Blossoms and other paintings with touching stories behind them, to listening to the actor narrating Vincent van Gogh’s story of ambitions and disappointments, his poverty and devotion to work - it was really an emotional and educational experience.

In addition to renowned artists, I would like to also say that there are plenty of artists who are not necessarily as famous or even famous at all who inspire me on daily basis; these artists pour their hearts and souls in their work and on their social media platforms, they produce educational content for others to learn from. I am also inspired by mother, who is a creative and resourceful soul.

I have also had the opportunity to work very closely with inspiring artists and some outstanding talents, given the nature of my job in public relations and being a publicist with Plus 1 Communications.

Did you familiarise yourself with the world of skulls before you began to sculpt them? Or does your work depend on intuition and imagination only?

Honestly, no. The love of skulls grew with me as I grew older; I believe I just follow my heart, intuition and imagination, when it comes to my art.

I also love experimenting and the rush of excitement I get while trying to patiently wait to see the end result of each sculpture I make.

As an artist, have you been influenced by Surrealism and Gothic?

My art is a reflection of me and the way I feel. I have been influenced by my very own experiences in life, situations I had to deal with, my upbringing, bits and pieces from here and there. I love that Surrealism finds magic and strange beauty in the unexpected and disregarded, for example, and I can strongly relate to that. I am a big fan of Gothic architecture and stained glass.

Will a greater study of archaeology — unearthing human remains included — help in your work?

Love this question! I’ve been always fascinated by Egypt’s history and Egyptology; would love to visit ancient parts of Egypt that I haven’t been to yet, and perhaps one day join a group of archaeologists who are on a mission to unearth ancient coffins and mummies and document their journey.

You can find Skullpture Nation by NK’s work on Instagram @SkullptureNation and Facebook @SkullptureNation.