Samia Saleh is an internationally licensed trainer and an artist from Egypt. Her journey as an artist began when she was pulled out of fourth grade, and entered an art interschool competition where she won first place. She became well-known for fusing realistic portraiture with abstract art. Samia explains that “as a child, I grew up inspired by my father’s photography talent. The physicality of photography, paired with the illusion of drawing and painting, both charm the eye into believing. ” She is actively interested in the arts and fosters creativity in the neighborhood through her work in art studios and educational initiatives. In the UAE, Samia’s artwork has been widely displayed.
“Without the ability to actualize an idea or concept, art would not exist. My work is a constant search for the best way to interpret the ideas that I have about the world and myself that I live in. I do not limit myself to one medium, style, or concept,” Samia says. She firmly believes inspiration and ideas change, and even knowledge changes.
Samia prefers to create her art piece using impression style and different mediums on different surfaces (canvas, glass, wood) as long as it will help in conveying her idea to her audience. “I believe that any artist can draw but not all artists can reflect the emotions and feel through their piece of art. Feelings, emotions, and techniques are the important tools for any creative artist,” says Samia.
She explains the idea that form does not necessarily need a function, but also likes the idea that function has to work with form and form has to work with function. If a viewer stops for just a moment to view and reflect on a piece she has created, then she believes she has succeeded in her work.
She has taken part in various exhibitions and has also taken on the role of a judge for competitions. Since 2010, Samia has organized exhibitions, with the most notable one being the three-year-long Ministry of Culture show entitled Our Emirates Union. She was also the first artist to plan a live art exhibit in Al Ain for both individuals and organizations.
As part of Expo 2020 UAE, Saleh’s artwork was also on display at the United Nations Pavilion. It is planned to be added to the UN collection. Additionally, she has worked on numerous volunteer projects. Samia also taught art to children at the Sheikh Zayed Orphanage and supported their artistic abilities. Another project she worked on with the Al-Shamkha Municipality involved beautifying the gardens in Abu Dhabi.
Samia is one of the artists who received a golden visa on the ministry of culture’s recommendation and won first place in the 2022 Dubai Women’s Association Art Competition.
“Today as an artist, educator, and curator, and team leader of group of artists, I believe knowledge of art should be an important part of societies, because of that, I am trying to show this in my artwork and exhibitions,” Samia states.
Her message to her students is usually to include art in their lifestyle, her message as a curator is to curate events and exhibitions that have a message to affect our societies, since we learned a lot about countries’ history because of art, before communication between people, there is art.