
The artist Samah Arafat is a specialist in Islamic architectural arts. Her journey with art began during her university years, when she was captivated by the worlds of Islamic ornamentation and manuscripts. Her greatest passion has been to revive this ancient art with a contemporary style that blends authenticity and modernity. Over time, her hobby transformed into a professional career that began more than ten years ago, starting with exhibitions of her work locally, and later expanding to include international participations in the UAE, Morocco, and India. Each stage became a source of inspiration and an experience that enriched her artistic and human portfolio.
During these years, she developed a wide range of skills, including designing and executing decorative panels in various Islamic schools, such as Mughal, Abbasid, and Andalusian styles. She combines Arabic calligraphy with ornamentation in works that carry a distinctive visual identity. Additionally, she creates handcrafted products from ceramics, wood, and glass with a modern decorative spirit. Her academic expertise also extends to teaching and organizing specialized workshops to share knowledge and revive interest in this heritage.
Despite challenges she faced, such as limited resources in the early stages, balancing academic responsibilities with daily artistic practice, and the constant pursuit of innovation within a traditional art form without compromising its authentic spirit, these obstacles have given her greater strength and determination to continue and shape a clear artistic identity. Her vision is to make ornamentation a contemporary visual language and a living bridge connecting the past with the present, keeping this art vibrant and inspiring for future generations.




