“As a female born and raised in the Arab world, we are taught to be quiet. I created a voice not just for me but all women out there who need to be heard and seen”
Mays Al Moosawi is a 27 year old visual artist from Muscat, Oman. She decided to follow her dream of being an artist instead of what was expected of her from her society. Mays completed her BA in Illustration in Coventry in the United Kingdom that led her to becoming a full time artist today. Her focus on the female figure as her signature subject matter stems from Mays’ view of the society she was raised in. The stories, insecurities and challenges women from her community experience greatly impacted Mays’ identity growing up, where she felt the need to provide a voice and insight to the true expression these women possess. Mays’ production is characterised as spontaneous and in the moment creations guided by her emotional state of mind.
José Berrocoso, our lifestyle editor, sit down with Mays Al Moosawi to learn more about her story.
CityPages Magazine: What inspired young Mays Al Moosawy to pick up the paintbrush?
Mays Al Moosawy: I grew up in a family of creative people. I’ve been exposed to art since an early age, going to galleries and workshops with my mom always fascinated me. I always knew I would be an artist.
CPM: Where do you find your muse?
MAM: I find inspiration in everything I do, see and feel. Such as going out and experiencing life, seeing the beauty of nature and the fascination of the human body or feeling love, happiness or sadness.
CPM: What are your ideas surrounding femininity?
MAM: As an Arab female we can’t deny the huge changes that have happened in the past few years and we are proud of it. But as long as women will need to scream harder to be heard this movement will not end.
CPM: The female form is celebrated in your art. Share a few words on the power of women.
MAM: Female figure slowly became the subject of my work; I found the courage to speak about my own experiences and the story of many females in my society. As a female born and raised in the Arab world, we are taught to be quiet. I created a voice not just for me but all women out there who need to be heard and seen.
CPM: Tell me about the mood painted within your latest art series.
MAM: Most of my recent work is around the topic of ‘She’s on a life changing journey’ as I recently moved to a London, to leave my comfort zone to be able to find true self and to seek inspiration
CPM: You often paint bold splashes of colour. How important is colour theory to your art?
MAM: I see colors as a reflection of my emotions and it plays a big role in my work, I think it’s the first thing that people connect to when looking at my paintings.
CPM: Do you think art is a mirror of the artist?
MAM: I always say that making art is like writing in a journal. It basically reflects every single part of the artist whether it’s consciously or unconsciously.
CPM: What do you hope people feel when they view your art?
MAM: I want every person to know that they are not alone, everything that they went through; someone else is going through right now. So instead of hiding our story – let’s share it.
CPM: Describe your studio space.
MAM: My studio space is basically the only place where I truly feel disconnected from the world – it’s my safe place.
CPM: Which other great women artists inspire you and why?
MAM: I’ve been reading about Rebecca Horn recently, she’s a German artist. I love the freedom in her work.
CPM: What advice would you give to emerging female artists?
MAM: Create what you feel like, not what everyone else wants to see.
CPM: What are Mays Al Moosawi’s artistic plans for 2023 and beyond?
MAM: That’s a tough one, I would say just create more art and keep learning.
