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Zara Newman is a self-taught digital artist who lives and
works in Cape Town, South Africa. Living with a genetic
disorder called Marfan Syndrome, Newman uses art as a
means to emancipate herself and draw strength.
Having endured 13 surgical procedures, including four
spine surgeries and open heart surgery, Zara Newman is
intimately familiar with life’s hardships. At just eight years
old, she faced the risk of losing her eyesight due to a genetic
disorder, undergoing two emergency lens replacements.
Even after those surgeries, Zara continued to grapple with
her eyesight until the age of 15, enduring four more eye
surgeries to eventually restore her vision completely. The
uncertainty surrounding her eyesight brought forth a deep
struggle with depression and anxiety, as she feared losing
the ability to create art forever.
Throughout her life, Zara has been acquainted with chronic pain, PTSD, anxiety, and depression, always feeling
like a neighbor to death’s door. However, she tenaciously pursued her dream of becoming an artist, even drawing
in bed during her recovery from spine surgeries. Zara refused to give up, recognizing that after so many neardeath experiences, she couldn’t waste her life doing anything other than creating art.
Now, she endeavors to convey stories through her artwork, shedding light on the experiences of the less
fortunate. Zara’s work revolves around various struggles, from racism and sexism to classism and ableism. Her goal
extends beyond mere connection; she seeks to acknowledge those who have endured hardships and to truly see
them. Through her art, she sends a powerful message: ‘I see your struggle, and I applaud you for how far you’ve
come. It’s challenging to be strong all the time. Don’t be ashamed of your pain. You have the right to feel and heal
at your own pace.’
Like an X-ray, Newman’s black and white portraits investigate the inner sanctum of the exterior. Her
contemporary style portraits center on life and the human experience of navigating the world. Zara feels that the
contrast of black and white is the purest and rawest form of expression and the universal language of the
misunderstood, disenfranchised, and marginalized.
‘I strongly believe that art has the power to connect with people on an emotional level, especially when
addressing issues that are important for the majority to understand,’ Newman says. ‘Regardless of whether or not
someone has studied visual arts, I strive to communicate effectively with everyone through my work, even
overcoming language barriers.’
Zara’s artwork frequently delves into topics of racial, financial, and gender inequality, as well as mental and
physical health challenges.
Her art aims to do more than just connect with those who’ve struggled, but to acknowledge them – to see them.
Zara’s work is an ode to resilience, a celebration of human strength in the face of adversity. Through her
creations, she wishes to convey the message of self-compassion and understanding, reminding others that their
struggles are valid and deserving of acknowledgment.
With every stroke of her digital brush, Zara paints stories of empowerment, seeking to ignite a spark of hope
and unity among her viewers. She envisions a world where art becomes a language that transcends boundaries,
where everyone can find solace, inspiration, and healing through the power of artistic expression.”
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LET'S GET IN TOUCH!
Contact me today
to enquire about my art
- +(27) 71 818 1674
- info@zaradidit.art