Human Sketchbooks
For Zarina Saidova, drawing has always been a language. Since childhood, it has been a way of expressing herself and making sense of the world around her.
“As a child, I used drawing to communicate emotions and things that were difficult to put into words. Later, as a teenager, drawing became a space I could retreat to, somewhere I could find a sense of safety in an uncertain and often challenging everyday life.”
Today, drawing is no longer just a hobby for Zarina. It is her profession, as well as a way of understanding, exploring and communicating the world to others. For MUNCH, she has developed a sketchbook that will be distributed to school pupils visiting the museum this autumn, along with a drawing station she hopes will open up the world of drawing to even more people.
“I hope visitors to MUNCH will discover drawing as a tool for exploration, communication and connecting with their own inner world. Creating something for such a wide audience has been incredibly meaningful, and not least an exciting challenge,” says Saidova.
On Its Own
In previous projects, Zarina has usually worked directly with children and adults through workshops where she has been present to guide participants along the way. This project is different. The sketchbook and drawing station must function independently, without her there to explain or encourage.
“This has required a different approach, and I’ve seen it as an opportunity to think creatively and develop new ways of engaging audiences. My goal has been to create a playful and joyful drawing experience inspired by Edvard Munch, one that invites visitors to explore drawing for themselves. This autumn will reveal whether I’ve succeeded.”
Make Mistakes!
One of Zarina’s guiding principles throughout the project has been that the process matters more than the final result. She has therefore designed simple, open-ended activities that leave room for curiosity, play and experimentation.
“That’s a way of thinking I hope can extend beyond this particular project. In a society where we constantly face expectations of achievement and perfection, drawing can remind us of the value of trying, making mistakes and learning along the way,” says Saidova.
She illustrated the sketchbook herself using the same type of pencil that children will receive with it, and she deliberately chose not to erase anything. The visible corrections, missteps and unfinished lines are there to show that drawing does not have to be perfect.
“That’s what I think is so valuable about drawing for children and young people. Sketchbooks remind us of what it means to be human. Growth happens through experience, and the traces of mistakes, attempts and changes can be every bit as valuable as the finished result.”
About Zarina Saidova:
Zarina Saidova is an artist, illustrator and founder of the comics and publishing imprint Træsh. Drawing is at the heart of her practice, which spans everything from artist publications to exhibitions. Nature, symbolism and language are recurring themes throughout her work. In 2025, she received a Gold Award in Årets vakreste bøker (The Best-Designed Books of the Year) for her illustrations for Good Night Gaza. Saidova has exhibited at venues including Kunsthall Oslo, Tegnerforbundet and the Autumn Exhibition (Høstutstillingen), and has also worked as a curator for Hvitsten Salong.
