Interview
Mira Shihadeh
Mira is a Palestinian born artist living in Cairo, Egypt, which has become her new home.
She started her art journey as a young girl. Today, Mira is a figurative artist, as well as a lover of street art. Through her street art, Mira aims to bring to the forefront issues and awareness around sexual harassment and oppression.
Mira has an MA in Psychology, and has been a yoga instructor for the last 20 years, but recently she has been focusing on her art full time.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I started drawing when I was young. I won art competitions at school, and was involved in theater styling and art direction. For my MA, I specialized in psychology, but ended up working in advertising. I was involved in logo designs and art direction for commercial shoots, as well as commissioned mural painting.
As a freelancer, yoga kept me stable, both mentally and physically. The study of anatomy was only natural for me, as I always love depicting movement of the physical body, from years of observation as a teacher of yoga. After the 2011 revolution in Egypt, I found the urgency to do graffiti/street art focusing on anti sexual harassment, among other things. In the wake of #MeToo, I found my street art published worldwide, which was very satisfying.”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“I’d like my art to comment on humanity, conflict and resolution, truth and lies, love, community, joy and emotion. I strive to create compositions that will deliver these messages.”
Which current art world trends are you following?
“I simply follow Instagram artists. I especially enjoy art critic Jerry Saltz and his commentaries on the art world, of which I feel much a part of.”
“Anything figurative always sparks my interest. I love to see facial expressions in artwork, and personally dislike when there are no faces depicted at all.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“I normally work through improvisation, and all human figures are imaginary. However, when it comes to street art, I have to plan and rehearse the drawings many, many times to ensure it is done within the required size. I also need to see how it can be done as quickly as possible, to avoid any confrontation with police.”
What process, materials and techniques do you use to create your artwork?
“I enjoy acrylics and graphite/charcoal. I start by drawing with a brush, and the refinement of details comes later.”
What does your art mean to you?
"These days I’m trying to make art that inspires joy, fun and humor. It’s not easy, and my main challenge is to bring enthusiasm into what I do. I think many artists are striving in that direction.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I have a couple of published works as shown below:
Street art ‘No Sexual Harassment’ which was featured in the Washington Post.
Street art ‘Circle of Evil’. You can read about it here.”
Instagram: @yogimira, #mirashihadeh
Other: Facebook
