How My Egyptian Roots Shape My Art

Q: Your multicultural background—growing up between Egypt and the U.S. and now living in London—offers a rich cultural tapestry. How has this diverse upbringing shaped your creative vision and influenced the way you approach your art?

I do indeed come from multiple cultural influences, and in many ways, I’m a melting pot in my own right. I believe my Egyptian roots instilled in me a strong commitment and work ethic. In Egypt, there’s a mindset of “finding a way” to solve any problem—giving up is simply not an option. This resilience is something I carry into my art. My preference for bold, vibrant colors also comes from Egypt, especially from my childhood by the seaside in Alexandria, where I developed a deep love for the sea.

The underwater world there, particularly in Almaza Bay, is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. The clarity of the water and its turquoise colors are unmatched, and the sunlight there shines differently, making you feel pure happiness. This experience is what I sought to capture in Hypnosis—the memory of being submerged in those waters, feeling both peaceful and energized by the beauty around me.

From my father, who was both an engineer and a poet, I inherited a love of structure and form. He taught me that it is possible to be multifaceted—precise and creative at the same time. From my mother, a lover of antiquities and jewelry, I inherited a deep connection to history, texture, and material. My first still life, Genesis of Form, was an arrangement of antique ornaments she treasured, and I painted it during my Fine Art studies at the American University in Cairo.

These early experiences instilled in me a fascination with bold color, structure, and symbolism—qualities that remain central to my practice today.

✨ See how these Egyptian influences come alive in my original artworks.