10 Questions with Rasha Amin

Rasha Amin is a multidisciplinary artist based in Rome, Italy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Cairo, Egypt, where she was born and raised. Amin earned an M.A. degree in 2024 at Rome Business School in Rome/ Italy.

She established her art studio in Rome in 2022 to pursue art projects and works between paintings, drawings, installations, photography, and experimental video art.

Her body of work explores different aspects of her life through the themes of time, memory, and emotions, trying to deconstruct and rebuild them again to create a new connection and different meaning that explores a new existence.

Her work has been exhibited internationally in solo and collective shows in the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Greece, Italy, Sweden, Netherlands, Brazil, Kuwait, Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt.

Creating art has always brought a sense of balance and fulfillment to Amin’s life. Born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, she grew up surrounded by a rich cultural heritage and a long, storied history that deeply influenced her worldview. Navigating the societal norms and expectations for women in Egypt has posed its own set of challenges, impacting personal freedoms, family dynamics, and professional opportunities. Egyptian women, like Amin, often face pressures to conform to roles defined by tradition, yet many are working to break barriers and advocate for positive change.

Amin’s body of work is a testament to resilience, empowerment, and the complexities of womanhood in her society. Her art weaves together personal stories, struggles, and triumphs into a narrative she hopes will resonate across cultures. Through her creations, Amin seeks to foster empathy and understanding, inviting viewers to see life through diverse perspectives and encouraging a dialogue that transcends boundaries.

www.rashaamin.com | @visualartistrashaamin

Primavera, mixed media on canvas, 200x125 cm, 2021 © Rasha Amin

INTERVIEW

Can you tell us about your background and how your upbringing in Cairo has shaped your artistic perspective?

I was fortunate to discover my passion for art at an early age, thanks to my mother's unwavering support and belief in me.This passion led me to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts at Helwan University in Cairo, where I graduated in 2003. Later, I joined a group of like-minded artists who gathered every Friday to paint in Cairo's historic old town, drawing inspiration from its rich cultural heritage. Together, we showcased our work in various art venues, celebrating the beauty and history of the city. Growing up in Cairo, a city teeming with history, culture, and diverse narratives, has profoundly influenced my artistic perspective. The blend of tradition and modernity in Cairo has taught me to see art as a reflection of both personal experience and collective heritage, shaping my approach to creating work that is both introspective and culturally engaged.

What inspired you to pursue a career as a multidisciplinary artist?

After graduating with a degree in Fine Arts from Cairo, I pursued my path as an independent visual artist, guided by my creative vision. To support myself and my art, I worked as a graphic designer, honing my graphic skills and integrating them into my practice as a multidisciplinary artist. Along the way, I became increasingly drawn to the idea of blending different mediums as I realized that no single form could fully express the depth of my ideas. The intersection of interdisciplinary arts became a natural evolution for me, allowing me to continuously push the boundaries of my visual and conceptual language. Through this process, I've learned that the fusion of diverse artistic practices can offer more dynamic and meaningful expressions of the world around me.

You moved your studio to Rome in 2022. Why did you choose this city? And how does it help you further develop your practice?

My husband, an Italian, and I met in Egypt in 2015, and together we embarked on a new adventure. We moved to southern Italy, where we spent five years cultivating pomegranate plants and producing extra virgin olive oil. In 2022, I decided to return to Rome to immerse myself in the city's rich cultural heritage, artistic legacy, and beauty. Establishing my art studio there marked a new chapter in my artistic journey. Rome's vibrant art scene and historical significance offer a unique environment for inspiration and growth, providing me with countless opportunities to further develop my practice and connect with other artists and art lovers.

Your work often reflects themes like time, memory, and emotions. How do you translate such abstract ideas into visual art?

My work embodies resilience and empowerment, weaving personal stories and struggles through themes like time, memory, and emotion. As a visual artist, my language is my art—it's how I express my thoughts and feelings. I choose whichever medium or art form best conveys my ideas, allowing my creativity to flow freely and authentically. Often, I use symbolism, texture, and colour to evoke emotions and convey the intangible, transforming abstract concepts into tangible visual forms. This process allows me to connect with the viewer on a deeper level, creating a shared experience that transcends words.

Solitude, mixed media on canvas, 200x125 cm, 2021 © Rasha Amin

How has your experience as an Egyptian woman influenced your artistic journey and the narratives you explore?

I was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, a city steeped in rich cultural heritage and history. However, societal norms and expectations often present challenges, particularly for women, influencing family dynamics, education, and personal freedoms. Women are frequently pressured to conform to traditional roles and standards like many Egyptian women, Istrive to break barriers and contribute to positive change through my art, and using my creative practice as a platform to challenge these limitations and inspire others to embrace change and resilience.

You work across various mediums, including painting, photography, and experimental video art. How do you decide which medium to use for a particular project?

My choice of medium is driven by the concept or message I wish to convey. Each medium has its unique language and capacity to express certain ideas more effectively. For example, I may choose painting when I want to explore texture and colour in depth, photography for capturing moments or narratives with precision, and experimental video art when I aim to create immersive experiences or explore motion and time. Ultimately, the medium is guided by the project's needs and how best to bring the vision to life, allowing for a dynamic interplay between concept and material.

Your art aims to foster empathy and cross-cultural dialogue. What do you hope viewers take away from your work?

Coming from a diverse cultural background, I believe that art has the power to bridge gaps between people. It serves as a universal language that brings us together, which is why it's often referred to as "soft power." Through my work, I aim to express my voice and open dialogues that shed light on the cultural, social, and political dynamics of the Middle East. I see Art as a powerful tool for challenging stereotypes and fostering greater understanding. I hope to cultivate a deeper sense of empathy, encouraging us to embrace diversity and work toward a more harmonious world.

The Four Seasons, mixed media on canvas, 210x160 cm, 2023 © Rasha Amin

Peace, mixed media on canvas, 120x60 cm, 2022 © Rasha Amin

Could you share one or two projects that are particularly meaningful to you and why they hold significance?

The first project, Rebirth, reflects my experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many others, I found myself isolated for two years in a small town in Southern Italy, surrounded by nature and the sea. This period became an opportunity for introspection, allowing me to translate my personal journey into art. I created a series of paintings, drawings, photographs, and, more recently, an animated video using the rotoscope technique, titled Solitude. Through this project, I realized how that time of isolation helped us reconnect with our true selves, understand who we are, and rebuild our inner relationships.
The second project, False Memories, dates back to 2018, when I moved to Italy and began grappling with a sense of identity loss. This project explores the concept of false memories—events we believe to have happened but never actually did. False Memories is an experimental project that uses the rotoscope technique, blending drawing and digital painting, and seeks to explore the delicate boundary between reality and illusion.

How do you navigate the balance between personal storytelling and creating art that resonates universally?

As a visual artist, I believe the key to navigating the balance between personal storytelling and creating universally resonant art lies in authenticity and emotional connection. My personal experiences and stories often serve as the foundation of my work. However, I strive to express these narratives in a way that transcends my individual experience, tapping into universal themes like emotion, identity, time, memory, and human connection. By focusing on these shared experiences, I aim to create art that resonates with a broader audience while still remaining deeply rooted in my personal journey.

Lastly, what are your plans for future projects, and are there any themes or mediums you're excited to explore next?

I am currently focusing on collaborating with other artists by opening my art studio as a hosted gallery space.
The next medium I'm excited to explore is ceramics. After having some enjoyable experiences with it, I look forward to integrating it into my work in the near future.

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.

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