Jasmine Saddiqui - Hera
- Reyna Takahashi
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Jasmine Saddiqui, or as she is recognized in the art community, Hera, is a renowned artist the world over. She is currently based in Berlin with her artistic partner, Falk Lehman, or Akut. With their names and artistic styles combined, they go by the name Herakut, which they use when creating artwork. They’re known for their general humanitarian approach to the craft, with their playful pieces carrying deeper meanings: Herakut’s subjects are primarily doe-eyed children with signature looks of innocence colored by veins of trauma and animalistic impulses. Herkut’s work is known for its human-animal crossover, with all its subtext, but their approach isn’t only on display through their art itself: the duo is also involved with many charities, which mainly focus on underprivileged children, apropos to the theme of their collective body of work. They believe that the concept of art has the potential to be a powerful medium when used correctly and can have a significant impact on society. For this reason, they use their art as a form of storytelling and spreading distinct messages, combining murals and poignant titles displayed on their actual work.
Herakut’s impact has become global; their most famous artworks are located in Russia, Brazil, the USA, Berlin, and, of course, Hong Kong. During HKWalls’s annual art festival, Hera was invited to paint three murals around the city, each with a different theme and message.
The first mural Hera painted is titled “Share Your Blessings,” and it depicts two hybrid children, merging their human forms with those of a deer and a monkey. The unique creatures share the food they have with animals around them, blending their human nature with primal instincts. This painting’s message is delivered in a bold way, prompting the viewer to appreciate every aspect of life and to remember to cultivate their connection to nature and the world around them.
The second mural, “You Should Check: Maybe There is… a Whole Universe Inside Your Mind,” shows a little girl with star-shaped freckles, with big red bows on either side of her head, almost as if she is being wrapped like a gift. This artwork is located on Square Street, where many street murals have found their home. Hera’s message is that everyone’s minds are limitless, and that people should explore the depths of their ideas and aspirations in order to unlock their minds’ full potential.
Finally, the third mural is named “If I was the Hero of a Story, I’d choose ‘Hope’ and ‘Love’ as Travel Buddies on my Quest.” In this piece, a girl with large blue hair bobbles sits beside a pile of books while reading one herself. Standing on the pile of books is a dove twice her size, hovering over her, acting as a protective figure. The girl carries an innocent look, but she is rooted in reading and offers a knowing gaze at the viewer that reveals her wisdom through the superficial innocence of her overall look. The books of different colours and sizes reflect the diverse knowledge this young girl carries, as the title reveals that she is intentionally moved through her life by “hope” and “love.”
In an interview with Hera, she says the purpose of having the animal feature in the artwork is to define the personalities of the child in the mural. Her goal is to ensure that each child has their own background and story. Because the image itself may not have a clear message at first glance, she stresses the importance of the quote that is paired with each mural. These purposeful quotes not only give context to the viewer, but more importantly, bring the child’s story to life. Hera’s meaningful and creative approach to her art blends together to create incredible and inspiring murals that people can identify with for the rest of their lives.
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