​​​​Fadwa Al Qasem is a Palestinian-Canadian mixed media artist and bilingual author residing in Calpe, Costa Blanca, Spain. With a B.A. in English Literature from the UK and two Art Therapy Certificates from the USA, Fadwa brings a unique perspective to her artistic practice.

As a seasoned artist, she has participated in several exhibitions and is the author of four collections of short stories, as well as contributions to three anthologies, an art book, and book covers. Fadwa is also the creator of the "I Am What I Art" Manifesto, which captures her philosophy and artistic vision.

A deep exploration of identity, belonging, resistance, and resilience informs Fadwa’s work as a Palestinian citizen. Her art delves into themes of human rights, immigration, and critiques of historical injustices, with a particular focus on the complex intersections of women, culture, religion, and the body. 

Her creative expression balances contrasts of joy, play, and freedom with the more somber realities of humanity's future, striving to weave hope into a narrative of urgency. Through a variety of mediums, including visual narratives, installations, and poetry performances, Fadwa thoughtfully examines how these elements shape our understanding of self and society. 

Fadwa’s work invites viewers to reflect on the construction and perception of feminine identity across diverse cultural and religious contexts, drawing on both personal experiences and collective stories. She is committed to creating a space for reflection, connection, and dialogue, urging audiences to engage with the complexities of the human experience. 

Believing firmly in the transformative power of art, Fadwa creates work that serves as a call to action—an invitation to inspire change, illuminate, and heal.
BOOKS

2005 - Short stories  "رائحة حب الهال" (Arabic) - ٍSharquiyat, Egypt
2007 - Short story anthology "In Our Own Words" (English)
2008 - Short story anthology "Madinah" (English) - Comma Press, UK
2011 - Short stories "لحظة الخروج من الجنة" (Arabic) - Sharquiyat, Egypt
2015 - Short stories "Paradise No More" (English) - Dar Joud + Jumeriah Publishing, Syria - UAE
2015 - A World of Artist Journal Pages  (English) - STC Craft/A Melanie Falick Book; Illustrated edition, USA
​2014 and 2015 - Emirates Airlines Festival of Literature, Dubai, UAE. 
2016 - Short stories "يوميات كائنات صغيرة" (Arabic) - Dar Joud, Syria
2018 - Poetry anthology "And We Choose Everything" (English) - Turning Point, Lebanon
2023 - Ya Sitti - "يا ستي"  (Arabic) - Children's book, Kiwi Stories Publishing, UAE
First novel soon to be published - follow on IG: @when_birds_still_sing
Short stories published in Akhbar Al Adab, Cairo, Egypt; Al Adab Magazine, Beirut, Lebanon; Literary Supplement of Al Bayan, UAE; 
​Al Quds newspaper, Jerusalem, Palestine; Al Quds Al Arabi, London, UK; An-Nahar, Lebanon. ​
EXHIBITIONS

Gallery Albir, Alicante, Spain (July 2024) 
Casa del Arte, Palma, Majorca, Spain (Dec 2023)
​Andie Art Gallery, Greece (Dec 2023)
RedDot Miami, USA (Dec 2023)
Small Format Exhibition, Gallery Albir, Alicante, Spain (Dec 2023)
My Art, My Voice, Gallery Albir, Alicante, Spain (Nov 2023)
Swiss Art Expo, Zurich 5.0, Switzerland (July 2023)
Summer Art Festival, Gallery Albir, Alicante, Spain (July 2023) 
Summer Art Festival, Gallery Albir, Alicante, Spain (June 2023) 
Summer Art Festival, Gallery Albir, Alicante, Spain (July 2022) 
​Don't Become Your Belongings Installation - Public Parks in Dubai, UAE
Group exhibition, Gharhood, Dubai, UAE
Solo Exhibition, Gharhood, Dubai, UAE
The Tenderness Journals exhibited at The Workshop, Dubai, UAE
Sheik Khalifa Al Nahyan Art Exhibition, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Don't Become Your Belongings Art Installation - 2013 & 2014 ​

My Top Values

To me, PLAY means creating opportunities for joyful and playful explorations and experiences, and liberated expressions of creativity, spontaneity, and delight that nourish the spirit and celebrate the joyous essence of being.
I believe that STRENGTH is the continuous practice of building resilience to help us overcome challenges, societal expectations and cultural limitations, to fearlessly embrace our own values and pave a life that is true to our own spirit. 
FREEDOM to choose. To be as we want to be. To be safe and secure. To be able to express our thoughts, ideas and feelings without fear or limitation. To have access to education, health, and independent financial security. To not face gender discrimination and sexism in all aspects of life.
CONNECTION is important. It’s about solidarity, empathy, and encouragement. Creating a network that empowers women to thrive, individually and collectively advancing towards shared goals, and making a positive impact on the world around us.
​INSPIRATION we need these sparks that ignite a fire within us, propelling big dreams, belief in our capabilities, and fearless pursuit of creative passions. It is the powerful force that drives positive change, fuels creativity, and empowers women to lead purposeful lives, leaving a lasting impact on themselves, their communities, and the world.
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(c) Copyright Fadwa Al Qasem 2024