Egyptian artist portrays unique beauty, power of African women

CAIRO – 19 September 2018: White beauty is perceived across the world as a superior kind of beauty. Trying to correct this misperception, Aya el-Emam tries through her paintings to shed light on the uniqueness of African women's beauty and the power of women.


Aya el-Emam tries through her paintings to shed light on the uniqueness of African women's beauty-by Aya el-Emam

“Some think that the beauty of a woman is defined by her straight hair and white skin. Through my paintings I want to break down this kind of stereotype and show that an African woman has a unique beauty and inner power,” Emam told Egypt Today.

It all began when Emam, a fresh graduate of the Faculty of fine arts, started to portray what attracts her in African cultures, such as the Nubian culture with its vivid colors.


It all began when Emam, a fresh graduate of the Faculty of fine arts, started to portray what attracts her in African cultures, such as the Nubian culture with its vivid colors-by Aya el-Emam

“At the beginning, I only meant to reflect what attracts me in the African culture on my portraits, but then people admired the artworks when I posted them and asked to purchase them.”

Emam's portraits reflect the originality and beauty of the African and tribal culture.
“Their original culture with its colorful patterned clothes and accessories shows unique and bold beauty and provides massive inspiration for endless artworks.”


It all began when Emam, a fresh graduate of the Faculty of fine arts, started to portray what attracts her in African cultures, such as the Nubian culture with its vivid colors-by Aya el-Emam

She delves into African culture, featuring the beauty of African women, which does not only come from their outside looks but also from their inner power.


Aya el-Emam tries through her paintings to shed light on the uniqueness of African women's beauty-by Aya el-Emam

Looking at the African women portrayed in ink and water colors in Emam's portraits with their black eyes, chocolate colored lips, beautiful natural hair and dark skin, and feeling the tranquility, love, and pride expressed on their faces, conveys how powerful and resilient they are in the face of all struggles and stereotype.


Aya el-Emam tries through her paintings to shed light on the uniqueness of African women's beauty-by Aya el-Emam

Believing that art could contribute in a positive change in societies, Emam referred that artists break stacks of bricks with one swoop of their hands.

“Artists have the freedom to focus on various topics from different perspectives in their artworks, spreading positive messages that can change the way people think. Art can reach people everywhere, even on streets like graffiti, so artists have a real chance to break negative stereotypes,” she added.

Emam revealed that her favorite artist is Taher Abdel Azeem, a professor in the interior design department, Faculty of Fine Arts.

“He is my favorite artist because he managed to create his own technique of drawing, which no one could ever duplicate. When you see one of his paintings you can easily recognize that he is the painter even before noticing the signature.”

Emam concluded that the first artwork she has drawn is her favorite one in the collection as it is a set of portraits, showing the same African woman in different poses. “I tried so hard to draw each of them with the same spirit and style so that when people look at each portrait separately, they can recognize it is for the same artist.”


The first artwork Aya el-Emam has drawn is her favorite one in the collection as it is a set of portraits, showing the same African woman in different poses- by Aya el-Emam