For Ranya Ahmed, art is both an introspection and a conversation

Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

Ranya Ahmed is a self-taught artist who has been making art since age 12. “I honed my craft through sheer curiosity and personal experimentation, embracing trial and error as a means of growth,” she says. “In many ways, my artistic journey has been an act of self-discovery.” She spent “countless hours” experimenting with various mediums, exploring the textures, colours and techniques that could best convey her emotions and experiences. Her artistic journey has been shaped by her own exploration of art, rather than by structured instruction or established rules of formal education. It has been the freedom to experiment, to make mistakes, and to learn from them, that allowed her grow as an artist.

She calls the art she produces “a raw, unfiltered reflection of my experiences in life.” By sharing her work with others, she hopes to create a dialogue, one that invites viewers to explore their own emotions and experiences through the lens of her creations. “In my work, I aim to capture the complexities of life - those moments of joy, pain, uncertainty, and beauty that we all experience but often cannot express. My art allows me to channel these emotions and transform them into something tangible, creating a visual language that transcends words.”

Ranya Ahmed with one of her artworks.

“I never quite know how a piece will evolve, which adds an element of surprise and discovery to the process,” Ranya continues. The unpredictability of the journey makes it exciting. “For me, creating art is not just about the end result, but about the journey - the unfolding of something that surprises and challenges both myself and the viewer. My goal is to inspire new perspectives, challenge perceptions and offer a safe space for emotional exploration and expression,” she tells Gulf Today, answering the newspaper’s additional questions

If you were passionate about art, why didn’t you study it formally in an arts college?

That's a question I keep asking myself. And the right answer would be, I thought then it was just a hobby that comes and goes. Back then, people didn't appreciate art! So I wasn't sure if I should proceed with it as a career. I was wrong: it turned out to be a passion, a connection to my inner soul. And right now I am seriously considering having a professional degree in art.

What are the challenges you face/d as a self-taught artist?

Another wonderful question. When you don't study art, you miss the basics, which means the fundamentals, such as anatomy, colour theory, etc. It's sometimes hard to know what you should focus on more. Self-doubt is a thing most artists face in general. So you tend to proceed with trial and error, until you are finally satisfied with the end result.

What are the advantages of being self-taught? And why do you like abstracts?

I believe being self-taught brings a lot of advantages. For example, you try different techniques and mediums until you know what interests you the most. Another thing is being able to do it at your own pace; so there is no need to follow any schedule - you create your own! And let's not forget how affordable it is compared to formal education. Abstract art fascinates me in a way I can't describe! I'm often pushed off my boundaries and limits when creating a piece of art that speaks for itself.

A decorated portrait and an abstract artwork with golden touch.

Your realistic works are bright and flowery, but your abstracts are dark. If it is so, why is it so?

You have a good eye, I must say! Yes, you are absolutely right. Well, I believe the difference between realistic works and abstracts is a thin line, but a quite powerful one. The realistic artworks are the ones we see with our own eyes; it's like copying the real picture, while Abstract is the reflection of our inner feelings. I consider this having deeper and more complex emotions that are not easy to articulate and can only be described through these artworks.

Which are your favourite colours? Why?

Black! Black and Gold. I'm not sure if I can put this into words, but black is the colour that most describes me and how I feel. It calms my soul, I must admit.

Are you influenced by Egypt in art making, since you hail from that country? If so, in what aspects?

I am sure every artist is influenced by Egypt, in different ways. Egyptian art in general focuses on figures and symbolism. Figures would be these two elements: elongated bodies and big eyes, in addition to modern and contemporary art. My connection here would be with figures, as I enjoy sketching caricatures.

How has the UAE impacted you as an artist?

Oh yes, it has. The UAE is a great hub for creativity and innovation, especially with its growing art scene. It attracts artists from all over the world. The opportunity for exposure an artist gets here can never be found in any other country.

Is art a therapy for you?

Without a doubt, it is. It allows me to express my emotions without speaking, helps me cope with my daily challenges and much more. Most important, it’s affordable, and you get to be your own therapist :)

How would you like to see your art evolving in the next 25 years?

My dream is to see my art evolve by becoming more interactive and even more deeply integrated with human creativity.