ESMAA FATHÎ

Cairo- Miniature art includes paintings, engravings, and sculptures that are much smaller in size than normal. Egyptian miniaturist Abeer Saad El-Dien, who has been interested in this art since her childhood, now teaches this art. NuJINHA spoke to her about her journey with miniatures.

Speaking about how she began to make miniatures, she said, “I hold a postgraduate diploma at the Higher Institute of Art Criticism of the Art Academy. One day, my son asked me to design something he saw in a video. So, I began to search for how to make miniatures. While making the miniature, I realized how I liked it and I decided to keep making miniatures. And I went to Nubia to make the miniatures of its homes and then to Upper Egypt. Each region has a special character that I want to reflect these characters in my miniatures.”

First female miniaturist in Egypt

Talking about the procedure of making miniatures, she said, “You have to be strong and need a workshop and special materials to make miniatures. I am the first female miniaturist in Egypt and in the Arab world. This art hasn’t attracted the attention of women because it requires hard work and muscle strength.”

Women’s participation in the handicraft industry

The interest in handicraft items has recently increased. We asked Abeer Saad El-Dien about women’s participation and roles in the handicraft industry.

“There is a great interest in handicrafts and handmade products now. There is a great demand for these products. For example, more interior designers want to use handicrafts and miniatures in their designs. It is not possible, of course, to ignore the role of women in this industry. They play an important role as mothers sending their children to handicraft courses, as designers and owners of handicraft projects,” she told us.

Combination of two arts

Speaking about her projects, Abeer Saad El-Dien said, “Moroccan artist Latifa Echakhch, who creates installations by using stones, took courses from me to make miniatures. She combines her art with miniature art. Her latest exhibition won great admiration and appreciation in Morocco. We plan to hold a joint Egyptian-Moroccan exhibition of miniature art in Morocco.”

Egyptian first female miniaturist Abeer Saad El-Dien aims to make the Egyptian miniatures to be seen all around the world.