Meet & Greet: Eman Rajab

We recently invited Eman Rajab to tell us a little bit more about herself and her involvement in St. Andrew’s.

What do you do in St. Andrew’s?

I’m an Abstract Artist and I hold ‘Art to Heal and Joy’ workshops  in St. Andrew's centre . It’s Art workshops for ladies. 

I started to hold the workshops 4 years ago. I was member of the Irish Women Without Borders Association Co. Meath. My mission as an artist is to help integrate immigrant women from all countries of the world to Ireland. I  worked to create and organize art group workshops and have used art and color as a common global language to integrate and support them, especially those who have come from war experience. I  succeeded in changing the negative feelings of the ladies into a happy positive mood, and this is the essence of being an artist!

I always say that “Art generally does not need experience and we will discover together how you can bring out something beautiful embodied in a painting," and the goal is not to be an artist as much as a pleasant journey of self-discovery and ability to overcome the negative mood.

So , no  art experience needed in my workshops , the main goal is to enjoy the time and live the moment here and now to get rid of the some of the stress of life.

I studied colours psychology based on the Swiss Professor Luescher and used this technique in my workshops to classify the emotional state of some women and help them through this precise technique to free their feelings and get rid of psychological pain. And help them to overcome negative thoughts that produce negative feelings and sometimes put us in a vicious circle. ‘Art to Heal and Joy’ workshops and the use of brushes and colours help a lot to break this vicious circle and create a new bright reality.

How can someone get involved in your classes?

Art  workshops are usually held in Dublin through St. Andrew's centre . 

The next art workshops will be on Sunday, October 15 and Sunday & October 23 from 2:30 pm to 5 pm.  

Reservations can be made through the WhatsApp 087 - 184 9486 or through my Instagram pages. 

Hard at work in St. Andrew’s Dining Room

Showing the finished product in St. Andrew’s garden

Tell us something about yourself:

I’m  an Egyptian abstract artist. I have lived in Ireland for almost 14 years. I graduated from the Faculty of Law.  I worked as a lawyer for a short time in Egypt and then traveled to Ireland.  I returned to my  old passion for art. From a young age I wanted to become an artist and found the opportunity to return to my old dream to overcome the feeling of homesickness. 

Art is one of the most enjoyable things in life for me and living in Ireland has helped me increase artistic creativity due to the unique beauty of the country. I truly  am very passionate about using vibrant colors and know the secret of their effect on the psyche of the recipient, so I strive in all my work to bring joy and happiness to anyone who views my artwork.

I was very fortunate and happy that I have appeared in more than one Arab newspaper, being the first Arab artist to help immigrants in Europe with art.

Like Official magazine of Kuwait under the title “Eman  Rajab: Remove the dust of alienation from immigrants by drawing”. 

And  the famous Egyptian magazine (Akher Sa’ah) under the title “Queens of Egypt who are hardworking”. And also art magazines for abstract artists in the Middle East.

Exhibitions 

I have participated in many local and international art exhibitions in Ireland, Egypt and UAE. I participated in the international exhibitions in Dubai (World Art Dubai) 2020/ 2021/ 2022. Now I am getting ready and I am very excited to participate in the Art Source exhibition  in Dublin which will be held on November 11th.

Last but not least, have you an interesting or inspiring fact you would like to share with us:

I always say in all my workshops: 

Don't leave your dreams on the pillow!! 

All dreams can come true if you believe in yourself.  

When I was a kid, I wanted to be an artist and paint beautiful art paintings.  

I always dreamed of entering the College of Fine Arts, but for some reason this did not happen!  I studied law.! This was also a beautiful fate that I did not regret. 

God has blessed me with a beautiful little family.  

With the passing of days and years, I forgot what I wanted. Why am I here?!  One day I was immersed in the darkness of myself and feeling depressed, I left my family, friends and home. I woke up one day and read this sentence on one of the social networking pages “Do not leave your dreams on the pillow”, so I did not leave my dream and my passion… God deposited in every human being identities and imprints that did not and will not be repeated.  

We are limitless beings, our souls always know the way, but most of us listen to his limited thoughts.  I started to followed my soul and do the best I can do and God has helped me a lot . I became what I want and some of my dreams came true. I always work to be the best version of me... to enjoy the moment and never stop dreaming... and to always try to instill hope in the souls and bring joy to them.

I have learned from this experience that no one will believe in you until you believe in yourself first. 

Finally, I say a quote I loved so much: "Don't give up, one day you'll look back and be grateful you didn't.  "

Thanks Eman!