Discover Rawa Al Mahdawe

Rawa Al Mahdawe, (b. 1972, Baghdad) lives and works inDubai, UAE. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from theUniversity of Baghdad in 1994.Working across ceramics, acrylic, and oil painting, herpractice draws inspiration from the Iraqi environment,reimagined through a contemporary lens that reflectspersonal thought and emotion.In ceramics, she engages directly with the material,exploring its tactile and transformative qualities. In 2024 and 2026 she participated in the Sikkaa Art Fair,Dubai, showcasing a selection of works that exemplify her ongoing dialogue between tradition and contemporary forms

BALANCE AMID INSTABILITY

Stonware clay 30 x 55 x 60 cm

The stones are tilted and irregular, yet they find their balance as they rest on one another. Each form carries its own surface quality, some rough and textured, others more softened. Rather than aligning perfectly, they meet through small points of contact, where weight, pressure, and position hold them together. The balance feels active rather than fixed, always slightly in tension, yet stable in its own way. The sculpture speaks about the human struggle to maintain balance despite pressure and chaos.

THE FEMININE

Stonware clay 60 cm x 30cm

Three interconnected forms rest upon slender pillars, symbolizing strength, balance, and stability. Curved etched lines move across the surface like flowing water, evoking continuity, movement, and change. The softness of the forms and their balanced composition reflect both the resilience and tenderness of womanhood. The upper form, an almost complete sphere with a section removed, represents life’s duality, where strength exists alongside vulnerability, and ease alongside hardship. Together, the piece reflects the layered and enduring nature of the feminine spirit.

UNBOUND

Stonware clay 55 cm x 35 cm

Unbound explores a woman in the process of reshaping her identity through inner awareness, freedom, and personal choice. The contrast between rough black textures and softer white surfaces reflects the coexistence of strength and vulnerability, stability and quiet femininity. The fluidity of the form evokes movement and transformation, suggesting a continuous state of becoming

INTERNAL DIALOGUE

Stonware clay 61 cm x 30 cm

Two distinct forms represent the feminine and the masculine, each expressed through its own texture, presence, and way of seeking balance. Their relationship is shaped through contrast and dialogue Light and shadow move across the surfaces simultaneously, symbolizing the coexistence of opposites and the continuous exchange between them. Together, the two forms reflect creation as a shared force.