'Art must be appreciated'

I find reading very important in order to switch off. It’s also something that allows me to immerse myself in another world for a while

What is the first work-related thing you think of when you wake up?

Who: Savannah What: Artist

To achieve my goals — because at the end of the day, I need to know I did something satisfying during the day.

What is your #1 personal success mantra at work?

To be original and different. I constantly motivate myself to achieve what I can to the best of my ability.

In your workday, what is the one thing you can’t do without?

I don’t have a specific object; however, during the day, I always need to be nurtured by anything that has a relation with art: whether music, paint, theatre, dance or acting.

What is your favourite place for a business lunch?

A restaurant called Qbara at Wafi — it’s a magical setting.

Who’s your role model as the perfect professional?

There are many people I appreciate for their talent, personality and will power to achieve their goals. These include writers (Sylvia Plath, Tennessee Williams and Jean-Paul Sartre) and actors (Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Angelina Jolie and Marion Cotillard). But as a whole, the list of how many people have inspired me is endless; there are family members, teachers and friends who have taught and nourished me just as much.

Professional goals for the future?

Opening minds is something I cherish dearly. Art must travel, be seen and be appreciated. I wish to promote artists from the region to viewers and art enthusiasts throughout different parts of the world.

What’s your idea of switching off?

Switching off doesn’t really happen for me, to be honest, because I think a lot. I love doing new things though: discovering new places, meeting new people, and trying out different activities that inspire me somehow... Doing a variety of things allows me to refresh my mind and have that balance between my work and social life.

What is the last thing you do before you go to sleep?

I tend to think about ideas for my art, new paintings, new challenges I want to achieve… and write it all down. I also read a lot before I go to bed. It’s something I find very important in order to switch off and it allows me to immerse myself in another world for a while.

As told to Karen Ann Monsy