Born in Cairo in 1986, Salwa Rashad graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts, specializing in oil painting, in Alexandria in 2002. She has been an active member of the Plastic Arts Syndicate since then.
Salwa’s artistic journey has been marked by numerous group exhibitions, photography workshops, and artistic residencies. She had the opportunity to participate in various events in Marseille, France, and in 2009, she collaborated with Alaa Khaled on a documentary project documenting the lives of immigrants in Los Angeles through photography and interviews. The project explored the diverse interests of Arab immigrants in the city, ranging from musicians to doctors, shedding light on their connection to their homeland and the dream of starting a new life in America.
Since 1999, Salwa has collaborated with writer Alaa Khaled in editing the irregularly published book “Amkenah (Places),” which delves into the culture of place through photography, texts, and articles.
Salwa’s interest in documenting life in Egypt through photography has led her on journeys to the South, the Delta, and Alexandria. Many of her works have been published in “Amkenah (Places)” magazine and other publications.
She exhibited her photography exhibition “ Al-Aber (The Traveler)” at Mashrabia Gallery Cairo, and her exhibition “Intersections” at Behna Art Space in Alexandria. Salwa has also participated in and organized interactive workshops, one of which, held in 2017-2018, featured five Egyptian female artists. The workshop drew inspiration from the anthropological narratives of Clarissa Pinkola Estés in her book “Women Who Run with the Wolves” and Firas Sawa’s “The Mystery of Ishtar.” Salwa’s contributions to the workshop included artistic photographic works and pieces executed in encaustic painting, exploring the role of women as creators in society.
In 2022, she participated in the Agenda Festival at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, presenting an artistic piece. Salwa has also been involved in the live broadcast of the Visual Anthropology Conference in Montreal, Canada, discussing the theme of “Memory” through photographs capturing modern Egyptian practices and connecting them to ancient Egyptian customs.
In 2023, Salwa exhibited collectively at the Shelter Hall in Alexandria, curated by Sahar Behairy, under the theme “Memory.” The exhibition later moved to Dar El-Funun in Zamalek, Cairo.
Salwa Rashad’s journey is an artistic exploration that not only captures the visual richness of Egyptian life but also delves into the cultural tapestry that weaves the past and present together. Her work reflects a deep connection to her roots and a commitment to documenting and interpreting the complexities of life in Egypt.
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