Zeinab Diomande's 'Dearest' Explores Liquidity and Time Through Texture

Zeinab Diomande, recognized as a winner of the 2025 Art & Photo Book Award, introduces 'Dearest,' a series of paintings that delve into themes of liquidity and the flow of time. By utilizing diluted paint and water, she establishes a unified visual narrative, where texture serves as a means of storytelling, mirroring the rituals and ceremonies of her alter egos in fantastical realms. Although the images were not originally conceived as a series, they exhibit recurring motifs. Diomande refers to the book as both a tribute and a diary of her artistic journey. She draws inspiration from her research, connecting it to her childhood aspiration of becoming an astronaut. Currently, she is working towards her master’s degree, which she plans to finish next year. The zine was produced with assistance from Bookmobile, and Diomande envisions a lifelong pursuit of painting and storytelling.