Jamal Masarwa: "Becoming a Well-Known Artist Takes Time, But I Have No Plans To Give Up"

by Barbara Yakimchuk

Jamal Masarwa: "Becoming a Well-Known Artist Takes Time, But I Have No Plans To Give Up"

21 Mar 2025

We often see only one side of artists — their inspirational stories and the incredible works they bring to life with passion and love. But what does it truly take to be a full-time artist? How difficult is it to believe in yourself, even when others don’t?

Jamal Masarwa shares his journey, proving that self-belief and hard work always pay off — and his impressive collaborations are a testament to that. What deeper message does his art carry? What challenges has he faced along the way? And what is his dream collaboration?

— Hello Jamal! Thank you readiness to share your story. I would love to start by talking about your childhood. Did your passion for art develop at an early age, or did it come later in life?

— I am originally from Palestine, and growing up, I was surrounded by art in many forms. From a young age, I developed a keen eye for visual details and creative expression. My artistic journey began 22 years ago when I started studying digital art and animation. However, it was not until 2012 that I truly embraced art as a form of creation and connected with the deeper aspects of my identity and language.

I started creating art as a way to express messages I could not always put into words. My work is deeply personal — it reflects who I am, my journey, and the message I want to share with the world.

I recently moved to Dubai after living in London for seven or eight years. Despite spending so much time in London, Arabic calligraphy has remained central to my art. My love for my language and cultural identity naturally led me to incorporate Arabic script into every piece, making it an essential part of my artistic expression.

— What is the correct term for your work? Do you consider it painting, drawing, or something else?

— My work falls under contemporary digital art. While I sketch by hand, all my final pieces are created digitally. I use mixed media techniques, including collage and graphic pen, to bring my ideas to life. The process starts with a blank digital canvas, where I layer different textures and elements to build the artwork. However, before I even begin, I always start with a story or message. Each piece is inspired by real-life events, emotions, or social issues I want to highlight.

Since 2020, particularly after COVID-19, I have focused on creating artworks that reflect true events and meaningful narratives. My goal is to communicate stories through my art in a way that resonates with people. Women play a key role in my work — if you look closely, you will notice that I only depict female characters.

— That is interesting! What is the story behind that choice?

— There is a personal reason for that. I grew up in a family with strong female figures —my mother and two sisters played a huge role in shaping who I am. I also believe that, even today, in some parts of the world, women do not always have the opportunity to fully express themselves or be heard. My work is about empowerment, strength, and identity. I want my female characters to take center stage, to be seen and celebrated for who they are. That is a core message in my work, and it is something I will always strive to highlight.

For me, art is not just about beauty; it is about the message. The technique is secondary to the meaning behind my work. Art is my voice, my way of speaking to the world. It does not matter how I create it — what matters is what I am trying to say. Art is a message, and that message is my priority.

— You say that women influence your work a lot. Does your Arabic heritage also influence your art?

— Yes, absolutely. My heritage, my land — Palestine — is a huge part of my inspiration.

There were moments in my life when I was restricted from showing who I truly am—so absurd and unfair. But those moments made me realize that no one can stop me from expressing myself. I needed to create my own space to show that the Arabic language, our culture, and our art are valuable and deserve recognition.

That experience and the inspiration I get from the country where I am from pushed me to focus on Arabic calligraphy as a form of artistic resistance. Through my art, I carve out my own space. No one can tell me what I can or cannot do. If you like it — great. If not —that is okay too. I do not create for approval.

— You mentioned that you worked in different fields before becoming an artist. Can you share what those were?

— Back home, I worked in a bookstore, among other jobs. I do not usually talk about this because, since 2004, I have identified myself as a full-time artist. That was the year I entered university to study animation and digital art. And even when I had no income from art, I considered it my full-time profession. All the other jobs I took were just a means to an end — to support myself until I could focus entirely on art.

— How did you transition into being a full-time artist? Was it a difficult decision? What challenges did you face?

— Right now, I am a full-time artist — my entire income comes from my art. The journey to becoming a full-time artist is filled with uncertainty, but for me, there was never another path. I will not say it is easy; it is really challenging. I always tell anyone who wants to enter the art industry that there are only two paths: either you have an unwavering passion and keep going, or you do not, and you give up. For me, giving up was never an option, despite the ups and downs. Even now, some months are great financially, while others are difficult, which naturally brings questions and doubts. But whenever I start questioning myself, I look at my journey, my history, and everything I have created. That reminds me why I can never quit — I have a message to share.

If I stop sharing my art, I lose my way of expressing myself. My work is more than just aesthetics — it carries a story, a message. Through my characters, I reveal parts of myself.

— That is really powerful. If someone is considering becoming a full-time artist but is scared to take that leap, what advice would you give them?

— I would say — give yourself time! Time is the only way to truly build something meaningful. But more importantly, do not compare yourself to others. If you keep focusing on what other artists have or how successful they are, you will lose confidence and motivation.

I personally find inspiration in established artists, but I never let their success discourage me. Instead, I watch interviews, listen to their stories, and learn how they got to where they are. That kind of insight can be a real push when you’re feeling stuck.

Also, don’t listen to negativity. So many people told me I wouldn’t be able to make a living from art. My first exhibition back home in 2012 received mixed reactions—some positive, but also a lot of negativity. People assumed I’d quit within months. But here I am today, having exhibited in major galleries and collaborated with brands like Emirates. When I have doubts, I look back at these milestones, and they remind me why I keep going.

— When you start a new artwork from scratch, how does your process look like? How long does it usually take, and what steps do you follow?

— Before I create anything, I need a message — a story. Inspiration can come from anywhere. For example, I was once sitting in a coffee shop in London, noticed an illustration of a woman holding a basket, and that sparked an idea. I envisioned a Palestinian woman carrying the history of Palestine in her hands. That moment shaped the entire piece. Once I have a concept, I prepare my color palette and gather inspiration, often from photography and music. Music, in particular, influences my work—I listen and imagine the character’s emotions, strength, or vulnerability. From there, I begin the actual creation process.

As for the duration — it really depends on the piece. If I am adding diamond dust and other hand finishes, like I often do, it can take anywhere from two to three weeks to complete. The technique and message behind the artwork are key factors in how long it takes. But sometimes, I will spend a month on a piece, and if I am not happy with it, I will delete it or leave it in draft. There are many works I have started but never finished.

— Do you have any favourite artists or photographers who inspire you?

— Yes! Marcel Van Luit, a Dutch artist, is incredible. I also admire David LaChapelle. But my biggest influence, since childhood, has been Tim Burton. His world-building and character creation have deeply influenced my art. If you look at works from 2019–2021, you will see clear inspiration from his style — the dark, surreal elements, the unique characters. While my art today is more contemporary digital art, those early influences still shape my creative process.

— Is there a particular artwork that holds deep personal significance for you?

— Yes, one of my favourite pieces is called "The Language of the Desert". It depicts a woman holding the sunset, surrounded by Arabian elements — a moon, a bird, and the earthy tones of the Middle East. This piece represents my return to my roots. As mentioned, I lived in London for eight years, and while I always incorporated Arabic calligraphy into my work, I had somewhat distanced myself from Middle Eastern culture. Moving to Dubai rekindled that connection, and this artwork reflects my journey back to my heritage.

By the way, this artwork will soon be displayed in a one well-known Dubai hotel. It is an exciting possibility! I can not reveal the hotel's name yet since it is not confirmed, but it is a very well-known location. This potential collaboration means a lot to me because it highlights the importance of my art and its connection to the region.

— By the way, you have worked on major collaborations, including Emirates Airline and Al Zain. How did these experiences shape your career?

— These collaborations were truly significant for me. Working with big names like Emirates Airline and Al Zain solidified my belief that my art belongs in top galleries, events, and brands. My art is an extension of my personality, and I see my characters as powerful, deserving to be seen and recognized. I believe that if I do not see my work as worthy of a global stage, no one else will.

— Since you do custom artworks, what is the most unusual request you have ever received?

— That is a great question! I would say the most unique requests often come from celebrities. Custom pieces have become a big part of my work, especially recently. Of course, they still carry my signature style, but the process is different. Sometimes clients send me just a picture to recreate, while others share a whole story behind the piece, which I prefer more. It is where I can really make it my own.

— Could you give the examples of some celebrities you have worked with?

Yes, absolutely! I have had the privilege of creating artwork for Mohamed Hadid, Najwa Karam, Wael Kfoury, Julia Boutros, and many other well-known figures. It is amazing to know they own pieces of my work.

Most of these collaborations came through their teams, but with Mohamed Hadid, I reached out to him personally, and he was so down-to-earth and kind. Our conversation was quick but supportive, especially since we share Palestinian roots.

I also created a piece for Naomi Campbell — she saw it and liked my post, though we never spoke directly.

Beyond working with celebrities, I have collaborated with fashion designers, created album covers for musicians, and contributed to high-profile promotional videos. One standout project was in Jordan, which turned into an incredible promo video. In the Middle East, names like Najwa Karam and Mohamed Hadid are widely recognised, and I am grateful that they now own my artwork. I even have a picture to show you!

— What are your dream collaborations?

— Oh, I have so many dreams. One would be collaborating with a major resort in the Middle East, or maybe teaming up with a luxury fashion brand — Dior or Chanel, for example. I know it sounds ambitious, but I truly believe in it. Like I said, I have been manifesting this since day one. I decided 21 years ago that I wanted to be a full-time artist, and here I am. It takes time, but I am not planning to give up. Even if it takes 20 years — or longer — if you love what you are creating and have a strong message, go for it. People will always have their opinions, whether good or bad, but you can not let that define you. If I don't believe in myself, who will?

by Barbara Yakimchuk