Teaserbild Überleben mit Kunst ©The image was created with AI.
©The image was created with AI.

Focus topic
 Surviving with Art

Art is often poorly paid and artists have to fight for funding for their projects and their own survival. How do artists in the region manage? What new ideas and concepts are there?

artist drawing on a big piece of rubble from a destructed home. © Sadoun

Art Amidst Chaos3 min
 Documenting Resilience and Hope in Gaza

In the heart of the Gaza Strip, where destruction looms and uncertainty has pervaded daily life for over a year, artists are crafting narratives of hope and resilience. Their work transcends the turmoil engulfing their homeland, capturing the essence of Palestinian identity while bearing witness to the conflict's tragic realities.

Palestinian territories
Three comic books lying on a table. ©egab.co

Surviving with Art2 min
 Unveiling the Vibrant World of Arab Comic Artists

Comic art is not newly-discovered in the Arab world. Yet, previously limited to children’s stories and superheroes, comic art slowly gained momentum among Arab readers in the past few years. 
A street, the corniche walk of Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia with a pattern of colours. Two people are standing in the background talking to each other. The street is surrounded by palm trees. ©Jawaher Alghamdi

Surviving with Art2 min
 Saudi’s art boom opens doors for local talents, but many struggle to devote to it

Saudi Arabia is experiencing a newfound burst of colours. The kingdom that was long recognized for austere conservative social codes, is being increasingly acknowledged worldwide for a buzzing cultural and artistic scene which the government is actively promoting as it strides towards a plan to diversify its income away from oil.

Saudi Arabia
Dr. Shahir Maged Mikhail ©Privat

Surviving with Art2 min
 Dr. Shahir Maged Mikhail: From orthopedist to full-time artist

Dr. Shahir Maged Mikhail is an artist that is not only dedicated to creating art, but also to sustainability. Almost 10 years ago, he took the brave decision to become a full-time artist and leave his job as an orthopedic surgeon behind. Jenin Abbas spoke to him about his path.

Egypt
Scene from Asim Aziz film “1941” ©Asim Aziz

Surviving with Art4 min
 The Yemeni Art Scene: An Ancient Cultural Vortex

Humanity has always used the arts as a mechanism to document life, preserve cultural memory, and connect people beyond borders by amplifying voices that might otherwise go unheard. Yemen’s artists are therefore gatekeepers to narratives previously unknown, the last frontline between their country and cultural oblivion. What is the role the arts can play in Yemen, and what are the challenges its artists face in pursuing their active roles during the current conflict?

Yemen
An almost 30m mural of Omar Sharif in 11 Jean Jaque in Geneva, Swiss. ©Privat

Surviving with Art2 min
 “I find it crucial for artists to invest their money”

The multidisciplinary artist Aya Tarek based in Alexandria started her artwork in graphic design in her own studio 16 years ago. Now she is a global artist that reinvents public spaces while keeping up with social and global issues of our time. Jenin Elena Abbas spoke with Aya about the business and management side of arts and on how she defines herself as an artist.
 

Egypt