Meet the artist: Karimah on Art and Empowerment
How did your journey into art begin?
Karimah: I truly fell in love with art when I realized its power to bridge cultures and communities. Born in Wales with Yemeni and Bangladeshi heritage, I’ve always straddled multiple worlds. Art became my way of exploring identity and storytelling.
How does your cultural background shape your work?
Karimah: It’s at the core of everything I create. My bold palettes draw from my heritage, merging the vibrancy of Yemeni and Bangladeshi traditions with the community-driven influence of my Welsh upbringing. My work explores the complexity of identity in a globalized world, blending symbols, movement, and energy into a visual language that feels universal yet deeply personal.
Your work carries strong themes of empowerment. What drives that?
Karimah: I believe creativity has the power to heal, unite, and empower. One of my core values is ‘creative empowerment’—helping people, especially young artists, find their voices. I also feel strongly about breaking down elitism in the art world, bringing creativity to streets, communities, and spaces where people feel seen.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
Karimah: It’s a day of celebration and reflection—a moment to recognize the achievements of women while acknowledging the challenges we still face. I drew inspiration from the strong women in my life—my mother, grandmother, sisters, and chosen sisters. Sisterhood has been a guiding force for me, and I wanted this piece to feel like a letter of strength and support.
How did you approach creating an artwork that would be worn as a scarf?
Karimah: It was an exciting challenge—translating a painting into a wearable format meant thinking about movement, flow, and composition. I wanted the scarf to be bold yet intimate, a talisman of strength that the wearer could carry close to them. The dove and tiger symbolize peace and power, representing the duality of resilience and vulnerability in all of us. The color palette was carefully chosen to complement all skin tones and styling choices.
The scarf also supports UN Women’s Second Chance Education Programme in India. How does that tie into your vision?
Karimah: Art should have purpose. Knowing that all profits will go toward education and vocational training for marginalized women makes this project even more meaningful. It aligns with my belief in empowerment through creativity and opportunity—helping women reclaim their futures and build something of their own.
How will you wear the scarf?
Karimah: So many ways! As a headband, draped over a tee and jeans, or even styled as a top in summer. I love the idea of it becoming a travel companion, tied to a bag or worn as a charm. At home, I’d even frame it as a piece of art—it’s versatile, personal, and a reminder of what it represents.