Mays Al Moosawi
b. 1994, Oman

"Creating art doesn’t always mean you’re trying to fight a battle or prove something to the world, it could simply be a way for the artist to tell their unspoken story and express their hidden emotions to help others realize they’re not alone. "

Mays Al Moosawi is an Omani visual artist who pursued her dream of becoming an artist from a young age. Her professional artistic journey began with a Bachelor of Arts in Illustration from Coventry, UK. This pivotal step has transformed her into the accomplished full-time artist she is today with her most recent completion of her MA in Fine Art from the Chelsea College of Art in London as well as two artist residencies in 2023 and 2024.

Mays's art is characterized by a profound focus on the female figure, which has become her signature subject matter. This emphasis stems from her unique perspective on women's societal experiences and beyond. Drawing inspiration from the stories, insecurities, and challenges women face in her community, Mays has made it her mission to provide a voice and insight into these women's genuine expressions.

What characterizes Mays's work is its spontaneity, driven by the emotional state of mind she experiences in each creative moment. Her art reflects her deep connection with the subject matter, resonating with the raw emotions of the human experience. She illuminates the intricacies of the human experience, inviting us to contemplate our paths of self-discovery.

Mays Al Moosawi recently completed another milestone in her prolific career by completing her MFA from the prestigious Chelsea College of Art in London (2023). Moreover, she recently wrapped up her inaugural artist residency with An Effort Art, an experience that culminated in her first solo exhibition at Cromwell Place, London (2023). Mays has also participated in Art Dubai with Emergeast, showcasing her digital artworks for the first time (2022).

Credentials

Art fair participant
International media coverage

Artist Statement

“I create to find my voice that was buried by culture, it taught me that perfection is the only story I could speak out loud or don’t speak at all.
Painting is a language that is hard to express by words.

Most of my artworks have female figures, which represents the society of women I was raised in, since an early age I was always surrounded by women, hearing their stories and insecurities had a huge impact on me growing up.”

Education

2023 MA Fine Art, Chelsea College of Art, London, UK
2013-2017 BA Animation & Illustration, Coventry University, UK

Solo Exhibitions

2025 'Dear Self, You've Witnessed Women at War to be Themselves', Private Residence, Dubai, UAE
2023 'You Are Your Own Home', Emergeast & An Effort Art, Cromwell Place, London, UK

Group Exhibitions

2024 Archiv Massiv, Spinnereistr. 7, Germany, 2
2024 'Boundless, Binding', Subliminal Projects x Emergeast, Los Angeles, USA
2023 'Perspectives Unveiled', Hayati Diaries, London, UK
2023 'Despite the Distance We Remain Destines', Group Exhibition, Mathqaf and Gallery Lalalande, Paris, France
2022 'Dreaming Tomorrow', Online Exhibition, Emergeast
2021 NFT M.E. Exhibtion, Emergeast, Opensea
2020 Reel Oman at R House, Riyadh, KSA
2019 Christmas show, Matti Gallery
2019 Affordable Art Fair
2018 Oman Art Fair, Oman
2018 Young Emerging Artists, Stal Gallery, Oman
2017 Art in Mind, Brick Lane Gallery London, UK

Publications

2024 Juxtapox, Magazine
2023 The Cultivist
2023 Selections Arts Magazine
2023 Made in Bed Magazine
2022 Mojeh
2021The Arab Gulf state interview, Washington
2021 The Future Belongs to the Gulf's Young artists, Sekka Magazine
2021 Anglo-Omani society interview
2021 Collabration with Vogue Arabia - Feb issue
2020 The National news, art and culture website
2020 Oman Magazine
2019 Thoug o Fann documentary, Oman TV
2019 Oman magazine interview
2019 Al Roaya FM interview
2018 Oman TV live interview

Residencies

2024 LIA, Leipzig
2023 An Effort Art Residency, London, UK

Education

2023 MA Fine Art, Chelsea College of Art, London, UK
2013-2017 BA Animation & Illustration, Coventry University, UK

Solo Exhibitions

2025 'Dear Self, You've Witnessed Women at War to be Themselves', Private Residence, Dubai, UAE
2023 'You Are Your Own Home', Emergeast & An Effort Art, Cromwell Place, London, UK

Group Exhibitions

Publications

Residencies

2024 LIA, Leipzig
2023 An Effort Art Residency, London, UK

Art fair participant
International media coverage

Where Did The Time Go?

Cultural Confusion

119x101cm

I Broke My Rules For You

““I create to find my voice that was buried by culture, it taught me that perfection is the only story I could speak out loud or don’t speak at all. Painting is a language that is hard to express by words. Most of my artworks have female figures, which represents the society of women I was raised in, since an early age I was always surrounded by women, hearing their stories and insecurities

Mays Al Moosawi b. 1994, Oman

"Creating art doesn’t always mean you’re trying to fight a battle or prove something to the world, it could simply be a way for the artist to tell their unspoken story and express their hidden emotions to help others realize they’re not alone. "

Mays Al Moosawi
b. 1994, Oman