Born in 1987, Israa is a Cairo based visual artist and researcher, she holds a Bachelor's degree of Art Education, Helwan University, Master's Degree in 2015, & PhD 2020 in Drawing and Painting.
Israa uses handmade paper as her primary medium, breathing new life into it. As the medium carries its own story, her work merges the magic of nature with the aesthetics of ancient art civilizations. Influenced by Egyptian and Islamic art and miniature paintings, Israa creates a style that is both vital and contemporary. The process demands precision, resulting in pieces with free-flowing lines and texture of the paper that lends a unique character to the artwork, in addition to depth and expression—a return to roots.
These frameworks surface in her approach to papermaking—a process where chaos (raw, recycled materials) yields order (structured sheets), mirroring the emergent patterns found in nature. Each piece of her artworks is a tactile archive, inviting the viewer to contemplate on sustainability and our relationship with the natural world.
Solo Exhibitions:
Green Border (2023), Nahdet Misr Gallery, Mahmoud Mokhtar Cultural Center, Cairo.
International Exhibitions:
“From Green Papyrus to Timeless Art Competition”, (2025).
World Art Forum for Development Foundation in collaboration with Unesco, The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, Cairo.
Forever is Now 03 (2023), Art D'Égypte, Madinaty, New Cairo.
Cairo International Art District (CIAD) (2022), Culturvator/Art D’Égypte, Downtown Cairo.
5th Upper Egypt Salon (2017), Faculty of Fine Arts, Luxor.
Group Exhibitions:
Menawwareen 3 (2026), a light installation held at Mashrabia Gallery of Contemporary Art, Downtown, Cairo.
“Stars on the Horizon II” (2025), Zahwa Art Gallery, Downtown, Cairo.
Rasm Masr 4, 6, 12 (2025, 2024), Art Corner Gallery & Ahmed Bassiouni Hall, Faculty of Art Education, Zamalek.
“Women Portrait Women” (2025), Frauen Machen Druck, Cilas, Darb Al Labana, Cairo.
Contemporary Visual Art Exhibition (2025, 2024), Nout Art Gallery, Zamalek.
Agenda Exhibition (2025, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019), Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Conference Center.
The General Exhibition (2021), Palace of Arts, Opera House Square, Cairo.
First Time Exhibition, 14th Round (2019)
Awards:
Tenth place in “From Green Papyrus to Timeless Art competition”, World Art Forum for Development Foundation in collaboration with Unesco, the Egyptian Museum inTahrir, Cairo, 2025.
First Prize in Youth Visual Arts competition, 6th Edition, Al-Horeia Center for Creativity Arts, Cultural Development Fund, Alexandria, 2018.
Grants:
The Full-Time Grants in the field of Fine Art (Sabbatical Grant) specialized in Painting, Supreme Council of Culture. Central Administration for Literary Affairs and Competitions, General Administration of Grants and Welfare for Artists and Writers. 2019,2021,2022,2023.
Israa uses handmade paper as her primary medium, breathing new life into it. As the medium carries its own story, her work merges the magic of nature with the aesthetics of ancient art civilizations. Influenced by Egyptian and Islamic art and miniature paintings, Israa creates a style that is both vital and contemporary. The process demands precision, resulting in pieces with free-flowing lines and texture of the paper that lends a unique character to the artwork, in addition to depth and expression—a return to roots.
These frameworks surface in her approach to papermaking—a process where chaos (raw, recycled materials) yields order (structured sheets), mirroring the emergent patterns found in nature. Each piece of her artworks is a tactile archive, inviting the viewer to contemplate on sustainability and our relationship with the natural world.
Solo Exhibitions:
Green Border (2023), Nahdet Misr Gallery, Mahmoud Mokhtar Cultural Center, Cairo.
International Exhibitions:
“From Green Papyrus to Timeless Art Competition”, (2025).
World Art Forum for Development Foundation in collaboration with Unesco, The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, Cairo.
Forever is Now 03 (2023), Art D'Égypte, Madinaty, New Cairo.
Cairo International Art District (CIAD) (2022), Culturvator/Art D’Égypte, Downtown Cairo.
5th Upper Egypt Salon (2017), Faculty of Fine Arts, Luxor.
Group Exhibitions:
Menawwareen 3 (2026), a light installation held at Mashrabia Gallery of Contemporary Art, Downtown, Cairo.
“Stars on the Horizon II” (2025), Zahwa Art Gallery, Downtown, Cairo.
Rasm Masr 4, 6, 12 (2025, 2024), Art Corner Gallery & Ahmed Bassiouni Hall, Faculty of Art Education, Zamalek.
“Women Portrait Women” (2025), Frauen Machen Druck, Cilas, Darb Al Labana, Cairo.
Contemporary Visual Art Exhibition (2025, 2024), Nout Art Gallery, Zamalek.
Agenda Exhibition (2025, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019), Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Conference Center.
The General Exhibition (2021), Palace of Arts, Opera House Square, Cairo.
First Time Exhibition, 14th Round (2019)
Awards:
Tenth place in “From Green Papyrus to Timeless Art competition”, World Art Forum for Development Foundation in collaboration with Unesco, the Egyptian Museum inTahrir, Cairo, 2025.
First Prize in Youth Visual Arts competition, 6th Edition, Al-Horeia Center for Creativity Arts, Cultural Development Fund, Alexandria, 2018.
Grants:
The Full-Time Grants in the field of Fine Art (Sabbatical Grant) specialized in Painting, Supreme Council of Culture. Central Administration for Literary Affairs and Competitions, General Administration of Grants and Welfare for Artists and Writers. 2019,2021,2022,2023.
