10 Questions with Mai Aboassi

Mai Aboassi is an Egyptian-based contemporary artist. Born in Oman in 1997, she grew up in Cairo, Egypt. She graduated from The Faculty of Fine Art at Helwan University, Egypt, in 2020, specialises in painting and major mural art. She accomplished achievements starting at 18 years old by presenting one of her artworks in the Daily New Egypt digital magazine. Also, she and her team won the second rank at AYB at Ain Shams University short films competition.

Throughout her art career, she exhibited her artwork nationally, for example, at the 28th and 30th Annual Youth Fair in Cairo Opera House, and internationally, including the ITSLIQUID exhibition, London Biennale 2021.

Mai's career begins as a muralist. She had temporary jobs while studying first as a muralist for the Fayum festival in Tunis village in Egypt. Another job was in different cities in Egypt by The Maya Event company and under the patronage of WFP ( World Food Programme). In addition, she has worked as a scenographer for the ZSCF at Zewail City of Science and Technology. Recently the artist has worked as an art instructor at The Artisan Village gallery in London, UK. Currently, she is preparing for a master's degree where she can continue her journey in human psychology and art therapy.

behance.net/maisalem | @mai.assi

ARTIST STATEMENT

Mai Aboassi illustrates her feelings against a white wall that allows her voice to speak out for her silence. Her art subjects are based on her memories, emotions, and nightmares. She gets inspired by the past and the present, the psychological state of her mind, and all surroundings as she is interested in human behaviour and mental estate.

The human body is a matter of discussion in her artwork. She captures a flying moment of sensation and studies its impact on the human body poses. She documents the feelings of those who space between fantasy and reality.

Recently her artwork became a link between the current dominant state and the lost spirit of a child that she tries to retrieve from her past to reformulate it with simplification in a childish framework, where she tries to depict such complicated emotions in a simple line and colour.

Memory part 2, mixed media, A4, 2021 © Mai Aboassi

INTERVIEW

First of all, introduce yourself to our readers. What is your artistic background, and how did you start experimenting with images?

My name is Mai Aboassi. I am an Egyptian artist, and I was born in Muscat, Oman, in 1997. I received a BA in fine art from the University of Helwan.
At seven years old, I decided to become an artist. I spent my childhood drawing, painting, and creating. When I was fourteen years old, I had my first fine art course, following some art workshops till I joined the faculty of fine art year 2015.
During my five years of the undergraduate course, I chose to specialize in mural art to widen my experimentation limit. I started experiencing different art styles and materials like ebru, mosaic, glass, etc. I focused the first two years on my art skills. After that, my primary concern was to find my art concept. While studying, I had some temporary jobs as a muralist and a scenographer at Zewail City of Science, Technology, and Innovation. My artwork has been exhibited nationally and internationally. In 2018 my team won the Second rank for The Ayb short films. In 2020 I exhibited my artwork at The Salon of Youth at the Cairo Opera House.

Why are you an artist, and when did you first become one?

The only escape I knew as a kid was my imagination, and I wanted to document it, and art was the only enjoyable way. When my mother told me that art is about expressing your feelings, not just creating a decorative image, I used that as my weapon to say all my fears and insecurities. Now I would like to clarify my feelings and the surroundings and speak on behalf of others who find it challenging to explain their feelings.
I believe I became an artist when my artwork came from a reliable personal story. There is a powerful concept that speaks for me and us. The first time I saw my free expression of myself was in a moment of intense anger; I pictured myself not in a way a mirror would do, but as my eyes saw me, and you would see my anxiety in my lines, my surroundings, and my flesh.

How would you define yourself as an artist?

I would define myself as an expressive artist. My artwork is characterized by the different emotions and mentality of all ages and how it affects us separately. Therefore, my paintings don't represent anyone in particular but all of us. I'm a mixed media artist. I mostly use acrylic or water-based paint, paper, strings, markers, oil pastels, etc.
My mood changes affect my artistic style and colour pallet. I like to experience different types and combine more than one style. Lately, I've been trying to abstract my art to produce a simple atmosphere of unity and voidness.

Can you tell us about the process of creating your work?

My process of creating the artwork begins with an intense feeling moment, I express it quickly with a pencil and a piece of paper. It is mainly reflected in a portrait that I could have drawn from a mirror or another model's photo. I use my previous drawings and written thoughts as a reference. I should always listen to music that inspires me and build an appropriate atmosphere before starting the process.
In addition, for other elements in my art, I take inspiration from my daily life, my memories, or my subconscious mind. Usually, I let my emotions take over during the first part of the painting while drawing the main character, choosing the colour palette, and some remaining shots. Meanwhile, my mind deals with the design in the overall artwork. In the end, I usually use a marker or pen to re-illustrate my solid and sharp lines.

The voice, Acrylic on cardboard, 12x80 cm, 2020 © Mai Aboassi

What themes do you pursue?

My artwork theme is Human Psychology. I like to depict the mental struggle and pressures of the surrounding environment, which I have experienced myself. I want to describe those who are lost between reality and fantasy. To clarify the voice in our heads that affect us. And demonstrate the power of art to show deep feelings that sometimes words can't describe.

Your statement mentions memories, emotions and nightmares as your primary sources of inspiration. How do you use them and incorporate them into your work?

My primary source of inspiration comes from my emotions, memories, and nightmares. I use my childhood memories as an inspiration for children's fears. Also, I reproduce some of my childhood drawings, in the same colour pallet and childish style.
I am highly attached to my dreams as I believe that they present to you your worries and your hidden scars. A dream could affect your day either you get to wake up feeling optimistic or breath taken.
I am used to sketching my dreams quickly when I wake up before my mind deletes them to work on them later.
Emotions significantly impact your art side, and it is seen evident in line and colour. Therefore I wait for my feelings to level up before I create my art piece. And I use others' pain and fears as a source of inspiration to illustrate human psychology and behaviours.

What's the essential element in your art?

The main element in my artwork is my character's image and body, simplifying it in parts and exaggerating it in other regions. I communicate the psychological state through the body's posture and the portrait features. Following the line, which I paid much attention to, shows the state of mind through turbulent lines.

Memory, mixed media, A4, 2021 © Mai Aboassi

Do you find that the shift to digital exhibitions and art fairs has helped promote your work?

I think in-person exhibitions are more enjoyable as I feel more connected to the artwork. However, there is no doubt that the digital exhibition has given us a great chance to grow as artists, especially during the pandemic, to promote us and stay in touch worldwide with the art market.

What do you think about the art community and market?

The art market has shown excellent performance during Covid. Thus, we expect important achievements in the future. The art market has given many opportunities and respects all kinds of arts and ideas. Today's galleries and magazines encourage all levels of artists and amateurs to pursue their careers as artists.

Finally, any projects you are looking forward to for this year?

This year, I am planning to create different portrait models to create a variety of expressions, alongside my plan to start a master's course in London to continue my research for psychology in art.

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