Female street artists have become a common phenomenon in Egypt, especially after the revolution of 2011. This kind of art became a way to address many women-related issues in Egypt that are not merely related to political developments, such as the status of women in society and sexual harassment. Notable female artists include Aya Tarek and Hend Kheera, while collaborations include Women on Walls and NooNeswa among others.
Background
Voices in Street Art
The public nature of street art provides a forum for those who are silenced by cultural or political oppression to be heard. Typically well planned and designed, street art is often created to send a message about a specific issue or topic. In a 2014 Al Jazeera article, Women on Walls founder Mia Grondahl states "Street art is all about "strengthening the people, being with the people, listening to the people." Urban life is centered within the confines of the city's buildings, and the existence of street art makes witnessing the statements behind it unavoidable. As stated by Angie Balata, "Everyone who sees it receives the same message — even those who don't necessarily want to receive it." In societies where certain groups are not given equal footing in social and political settings, this alternative form of speech is an outlet for those voices.
Street art and the revolution
Before the revolution of 2011 in Egypt, street art was not a common presence. There were only a few artists using public space as a canvas prior to 2011. Before this time, street art was seen as a suspicious activity and could be stopped legally. The political revolution in Egypt was focused on overthrowing former president Hosni Mubarek. Street art at this time gave men and women a way to speak out against the military ruling. Since the end of the revolution, street art has continued to be a way for artists to protest. A couple common themes speak out against the Muslim Brotherhood and gender inequality. Street art, beginning with the Egyptian revolution, has even given way to collaborations such as Women on Walls who focus specifically on women's rights statistics. One artist said, "If you want to tell people something in Egypt, you've got to tell them in the street." Art has become the way to voice an opinion in Egypt.
Women in street art
Traditionally, Muslim women have been confined to the home and to private space, while public space has belonged to men. Street art gives women a voice in the public space that they have often been denied. Groups such as Noon El Neswa, NooNewsa, and Women on Walls have been running campaigns to claim a position for women in the public by bringing both women's artists and women's issues to the streets. Nawara Belal, a member of NooNewsa, stated, "Women are not comfortable in public spaces. We must feel that we belong there, that it's our zone." In addition to groups there are many individual female artists operating in Egypt. Until recently, there were very few women or women-related issues depicted in street art, or, if there were, the women were depicted in an insulting way. Now, women in Egypt are using art that features women not only to comment on politics in Egypt, but also to address and raise awareness about issues directly affecting their lives. Common themes amongst these artists include the status of women in Egypt, gender disparities, and the high rates of sexual assault in the country.
Important artists and collaborations
Aya Tarek
According to the well-known Arab blogger, "Suzee in the City," Aya Tarek is an Alexandrian street artist; one of the first recognized Egyptian street artists. She began her street artwork before the Egyptian revolution and refers to the street art as "an open gallery."
Hend Kheera
Well known Egyptian street artist, Hend Kheera was an active participant in the first months of the Egyptian revolution. In her work Kheera questions the social norms in Egypt, discusses her personal experiences as a woman, and contributes to anti-sexual harassment campaigns. In an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, Kheera sympathized with the idea that street art has a strong voice, claiming "You write on a wall in the street to speak to people. In my opinion, a wall is more powerful than any media channel, for example, because you can't ignore it…By making graffiti in the streets make people aware of what's happening."
Women on Walls
WOW, began by Mia Grondahl and Angie Balata, focuses specifically on women's rights statistics and women's empowerment. They work with political, economical, social, and cultural topics. It began as a very small campaign and now has more than 60 artists working in both Egypt and Jordan.
NooNewsa
This group focuses on changing the attitude toward women in Egypt, through projects such as Graffiti Harimi, which aims to break social taboos. NooNewsa is dedicated to making women feel comfortable in public space. They want to give the people positive images of women and often use well-known female figures as subjects in their art.
