The dream by Samar Kamel, Egypt, 2023 (130 x 140)

From the Origami series, this piece brings one of Samar Kamel's dreams to life on canvas. Each symbol in the painting holds deep meaning: the toy train evokes childhood memories and symbolizes the journey of life, while the crown reflects the inner queen within every woman—often set aside to navigate life's demands. The origami bird represents an unattainable dream that once lingered in the recesses of her mind. As in much of Kamel’s work, the chessboard serves as a reminder of life’s critical steps, where every move has the power to either make or break us. Samar Kamel, an accomplished Egyptian artist and author, has served as the World Art Dubai Curator since 2019. She holds a curatorial certification from the Sotheby’s Institute of Art. In 2019, she earned Maliha’s Award for Short Story Writing in Sharjah. Kamel’s artwork focuses on challenging cultural perceptions of women, using vibrant imagery to redefine stereotypes and celebrate modern femininity. With a portfolio spanning over 80 international art exhibitions and fairs, her work has been showcased in cities such as New York, Tokyo, Barcelona, Miami, Venice, Amsterdam, Oxford, and across the UAE, as well as in Egypt, Oman, China, Belgium, and Brazil. Notably, her art is part of the permanent collection at Turkey’s Bursa Museum of Immigration History. Renowned for her unique use of tea bags in her creative process, Kamel was also nominated for the Emirates Woman of the Year 2018 award in the Art and Culture category, recognizing her contributions to the art world and community.