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Meet Sinatra Zantout
Sinatra Zantout is a Lebanese-Nigerian multidisciplinary artist whose work bridges painting, photography, and sculpture to explore themes of identity, cultural storytelling, and the resilience of women in marginalized communities. Rooted in a deep engagement with history, memory, and symbolism, her art challenges the ways in which certain narratives remain unseen or unheard, particularly those of women navigating complex socio-economic realities.
At the core of her practice is Masqueradism, a distinctive artistic approach she developed that reinterprets African masks as metaphors for hidden identities and untold stories. By layering masks over her subjects, she disrupts conventional portraiture, shifting the focus from external recognition to deeper psychological and societal reflections. Her ‘NO EYE CAN SEE ME’ series, for example, delves into the strength and struggles of women who operate in the shadows of labor, motherhood, and survival, using vivid colors, intricate textures, and bold compositions to capture both their visibility and invisibility.
Her recent exhibition, ‘Masked Realities’, held in London, celebrated the resilience, cultural heritage, and untold stories of Nigerian market women in Peckham. Through mixed-media paintings and documentary photography by Kure Studios , alongside sculptural works by Keniye Studio, the exhibition explored themes of migration, labor, and community. By merging these visual narratives, ‘Masked Realities’ invited audiences to engage deeply with the experiences of these women, highlighting their significance in both cultural and economic spaces.
Sinatra’s work has been exhibited internationally in London, and Lagos, including showcases at The Gallery at The Playroom, Art Pantheon, and Crown Agents Bank. She was a finalist for the Dubel Prize and has contributed to public art, including a mural commission for Stevenage Borough Council.
Currently, she is undertaking a residency at Junction 7, where she continues to push the boundaries of her practice by experimenting with new materials, techniques, and storytelling methods. This residency serves as a space for artistic research, allowing her to refine her approach to Masqueradism while exploring new ways to merge painting, sculpture, and mixed-media installations. Through this process, she is deepening her investigation into themes of visibility, migration, and cultural identity, creating works that challenge conventional portraiture and offer layered narratives of resilience and survival. Whether through large-scale canvases, sculptural forms, or conceptual installations, Sinatra’s work remains a powerful testament to the unseen lives and histories she brings to light.