About the artist

About the artist

Rawa’a is a portrait artist and vintage content creator based in Abu Dhabi, known for blending vintage aesthetics with realism and portraiture. Her artistic journey began in childhood with a fascination for anime art. As a teenager, her passion evolved into a deep appreciation for sketching people, inspired by her success in quickly capturing the features of classmates and teachers. In 2014, at fifteen and half, Rawa’a launched her public Instagram account, dedicating it to sharing her artwork, beginning with pencil portraits of celebrities. Over the years, her love for realism grew, leading her to participate in local and international exhibitions, sell her work to collectors worldwide, and achieve several hyper-realistic drawings that went viral, especially during the covid era in 2020. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design, Rawa’a wanted to give her work an identity beyond hyper-realistic detail. She began adding a contemporary look or an impressionistic touch to her vintage realism, creating work that often evokes emotions beyond what a photograph can convey. She also started expanding her Instagram account to showcase not only her art but also her love for vintage aesthetics, fashion, and decor; resonating with a growing community of like-minded supporters.

This timeline is continually updated to reflect each new achievement in Rawa’a’s artistic journey, showcasing her growth and milestones along the way:

Biography

2021: Graduated from Abu Dhabi University

Rawa’a graduated from Abu Dhabi University with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design. She gained hands-on experience as an interior designer and site engineer, working closely with clients to bring their visions to life for almost three years before deciding to fully dedicate herself to her true passion: creating content for her audience. In 2021, Rawa’a also conducted her first art workshop, marking the beginning of a series of workshops she has continued to offer over the years.

2017-2019 : Art showcased in several exhibitions

Rawa’a’s art was showcased in several local exhibitions across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, organized by international and local art organizations such as Art Hub. One of these exhibitions was Zayed in Our Heart, held in 2018 in honor of Sheikh Zayed’s 100th birthday. She also sold her artworks to collectors worldwide, gaining recognition within the UAE art community. Through her paintings, she strives to offer a glimpse into a world where the past and present seamlessly blend together.

2020 - 2023 : Featured in media outlets

Rawa’a has caught the attention of media outlets, being featured in Zahrat Al Khaleej magazine (2020) to talk about her love for art and vintage aesthetic, interviewed on Al Fujairah TV (2021), and highlighted in Magzoid Magazine (2023).

2024: Woman’s Voice Exhibition and Emirates Fine Arts Society Membership

In August 2024, after three years in full-time roles; Rawa’a decided to refocus on her artistic journey, starting with an impressive surge in her online presence, gaining over 30K Instagram followers within a month of this decision. This growth led to exciting collaborations with vintage fashion brands, perfectly complementing her vintage aesthetic and content. Her artistic achievements continued to flourish as she has participated in the Woman’s Voice Exhibition, organized by Breathe Creativity at Dubai’s Art of Living Mall. This event allowed her to connect with key figures in the art world, including several well-recognized sheikhs.

2024

Rawa’a was accepted as a member of the Emirates Fine Arts Society in Sharjah, solidifying her standing in the UAE art community and positioning her for further recognition and artistic success.