Biography

Mayan Zawawi is a Middle East based artist, working under the brand name ‘Tokens of Delight. Inspired by colors in nature, Mayan creates digitized patterns of her hand painted artwork. Her credentials include a Bachelors degree in Sociology, a Graduate degree in community development and a series of both online and in-class art courses ranging from portrait sketching to watercolor painting, principles of visual perception, CMF (color, material, finish), as well as digital pattern design and print from Central Saint Martins. The mediums Mayan engages in include original artworks, commissioned or licensed hand-painted digitized illustrations, limited edition prints, stationery and, homeware goods. Throughout her career prior to working as a full-time artist, her artistic flare has left bold and vibrant traces within the communities she’s worked with, from large murals in low-income neighborhoods to heritage preservation initiatives amongst village dwellers. Examples of previously engaged work can be found below.

Al Baydha Economic Development Project

Artist Statement

My artwork is inspired by color first and foremost. The desire to paint and create a piece is driven by a given color story found in nature, particularly birds and flowers. Through the use of watercolor combined with digital pattern design and the study of how colors work to enhance the human experience, I am able to create pieces that bring the wilderness into closed spaces. The intention of my work is to elate and educate, to make something comprehensible to the mind and eye through the laws of visual perception, motivating the eye to keep looking regardless of visual preference. At the heart of my creation is the desire to compose and categorize elements within a space considering elements such as weight, balance, movement, and color harmony in relation to format. This means much of my time is spent looking, at everything.

Friends of Jeddah Parks Community Mural