Two places, One soul

Artwork Description

This painting is a reflection of my life stretched between two places—Egypt, where I was born, and Canada, where I now live. Each side of the Earth shows a part of me. Egypt is filled with the golden sand, pyramids, and the lotus flower, its national symbol of strength and renewal. Canada is painted with snowy mountains, the red maple leaf, and the bunchberry flower, which speaks to quiet resilience and beauty in the cold.

Living between these two cultures hasn’t always been easy. Sometimes it feels like I’m floating in space—not fully here, not fully there. That’s why the Earth is surrounded by stars and darkness. But in that space, I’ve found something beautiful too: a sense of belonging that doesn’t need to choose one side. This piece is about carrying both worlds within me, about finding home in the middle of difference, and learning that identity can be more than one thing.

Aya’s Why

My work is inspired by the distance between two places, Canada and Egypt, and the memory, culture, and identity pull in different directions. Themes like belonging and migration are central to my life journey, and I use art as a way to hold onto both parts of myself.

Voice from the Artist

“Through this project, I’ve come to realize just how powerful art is in helping us express emotions that we might not always have the words for—especially when it comes to mental health struggles within BIPOC communities and the deep impact of racial trauma. Growing up, I often felt torn between cultures, and art became my way of making sense of that dissonance. I believe art can be a bridge, a way to speak up about issues like stigma and isolation that many of us face but rarely discuss openly. For me, art isn’t just about creating; it’s about connecting, sharing experiences, and showing that we’re not alone in our struggles.”