Aya Abu Hawash

Aya Abu Hawash is a Palestinian artist, tutor and art curator who was born in 1993 and grew up in Lebanon. She studied at the Lebanese University, where she gained both a Bachelor degree in Fine Arts and, in 2016, a Master’s in Fine Arts.

A multi-media artist, Abu Hawash is known for exploring multi-layered, complex issues in her work relating to memories and the past, with a focus on topical issues within a Middle Eastern context. Subjects such as censorship, belonging and tendencies to skew historical events or reinterpret the regional sociopolitical landscape are given thought and weight on her canvases, in media that spans painting, collage, archived content, drawing, digital art and photography. Deeply personal and created with intimacy, Abu Hawash’s art is questioning, both of herself and her environment, with a focus on societal pressures and conflicting cultures, among other issues, including the continuous search for a sense of self that her identity as a Palestinian-Lebanese woman instils. The human psyche – how we react when our vulnerabilities are exposed and our complex emotions – are also sources of fascination for Abu Hawash as she explores the broader historical narratives of her dual and sometimes at-odds cultures.

Abu Hawash dives deeply into her ideas, observing, participating and assessing before she embarks on her work, using a rich medley of media to create narratives brimming with signature, carefully chosen, often twinned colours and layers to communicate her messages and engage with her audiences. 

Aya Abu Hawash’s work has featured in several group shows in Lebanon and Dubai, among other locations, including a recent exhibition at Galerie Janine Rubeiz in Beirut, titled ‘Encounters’ (2023).

In 2020, she placed fourth in an ESCWA and Arab Institute for Youth art competition. She also works as an art educator and trainer and is a staunch advocate of utilising art and education to promote peace and collaborative dialogue. Abu Hawash is member of Our Generation for Inclusive Peace (OGIP) advocacy network and other organisations campaigning for peace and security in the Middle East. 

In 2022 she teamed up with Ranine El Homsi to co-curate an exhibition featuring the work of more than 50 artists, titled ‘Hunna’, at ABC Art Space, Verdun, Beirut, which explored the multiple roles played by women across Lebanon’s society through a diverse range of paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography and videos.