The Intersection of Urban Life and Tranquility

Blending the vibrancy of urban life with the serenity of nature, Heba "Hebatallah Fullpower" is an artist whose creative practice spans from the bustling streets of Cairo to the tranquility of her farm. A visual storyteller with a passion for capturing raw, honest moments, Heba's journey as an artist is deeply intertwined with her surroundings and personal experiences. Her work, whether through illustration, photography, or quirky videos, reflects a rich tapestry of life, loss, and the beauty of the natural world. As a multi-purpose artist, Heba’s talents extend across various mediums, including painting, graphic illustrations, photography, and creative video production, showcasing her versatility and boundless creativity.

Early Inspirations

Heba’s path to becoming an artist began at a young age. "What inspired me to become an artist was merely my surroundings," she recalls. At seven, she created an illustration depicting pollution in Egypt, winning an award and finding joy in the creative process. "I remember being celebrated for it and even winning an award for it, and I thought to myself, hey, this is fun! I could do this forever."

Her artistic journey was further shaped by her cultural context. Reflecting on a pivotal moment, she shares, "Perhaps when I had my first exhibition in Canada, at the time I was an erotic illustrator. I did not realise how that was a big deal seeing the background I come from, being Middle Eastern and everything." The experience highlighted her boldness in challenging societal norms and expressing her truth through art.

Navigating the Artist’s Life

Balancing creativity and livelihood is a challenge Heba continues to face. "This is a continuous struggle at the moment, the grind is real," she admits. "The battle that is trying to continue creating versus what will bring in some steady income." However, she has found ways to merge her worlds. "Currently, I am farming, and I am able to bring my art into the packages used for the farm produce, giving room to integrate my art in my day-to-day work."

Her creative process is closely tied to her hands-on work with nature. "Working with my hands shapes my creative process big time. I need to feel whichever material in my hands to be able to get a feel of how I will create or plant. My hands need to get dirty." This tactile connection to her materials, whether art or soil, is essential to Heba’s approach to creativity.

Nature’s Influence on Art

Nature serves as a constant source of inspiration for Heba. "Waking up during sunrise, staying close to nature keeps me inspired," she explains. "Seeing the color green enhances my relationship with all colors, not to mention being able to see the different shades within plants, their relationship with each other, and the beings that surround them." Her fascination with the plant kingdom extends beyond the aesthetic, drawing parallels between the life cycles of plants and her artistic exploration. "Learning about their life cycle is like you're learning about aliens from another dimension. It opens up my imagination and becomes a main subject in my artworks."

Her connection to nature is further enriched by her experiences in Cairo. "Doing day-to-day tasks in the streets of Cairo, facing the challenges keeps me inspired," she says. "I love observing people. Human behavior is very inspiring." This blend of rural tranquility and urban vibrancy is a defining characteristic of her work, offering a nuanced perspective on life in Egypt.

The Impact of Personal Loss

A profound event in Heba’s life was the passing of her father during her late teens, an experience that left a lasting impression on her. "I learned about loss and being a bit existential," she shares. "It triggered the idea of how temporary life is, got me interested in unknown realms and the paranormal, which hugely influenced my art." This introspection led her on a journey of self-discovery, exploring themes of mortality, faith and identity through her work.

The Creative Process

Heba’s creative process is fluid, evolving from project to project. "For commissioned work, I already have an idea that I work around," she explains. "But when it comes to my own private work, it may start with an idea that eventually turns into another by the end. It keeps shifting." This organic approach allows her to step back, reassess, and refine her work over time. "One thing I learned is to always step back for a couple of days or more, then get back into it, being able to see the bigger picture from afar rather than adding on and being so focused from within."

What Home Means

For Heba, the concept of home goes beyond a physical space. "Home means warmth, a source of love from someone you care about or even a furry friend," she reflects. "Home is a small plastic object that holds nothing but familiarity to a certain warm memory that makes sense to you and only you." This deeply personal definition of home underscores the intimate nature of her art, which often draws from her own experiences and emotions.

Heba is an artist who brings the rawness of life into her work, weaving together the threads of nature, urban life, and personal history. From her hands-on approach to her art to the inspiration she finds in the smallest details of the world around her, her work is a testament to the power of observation and the beauty of imperfection.

Hebatallah - Fullpower

Khmagique

Hani AlQam