RIMA AL-BASHIR

Born in 1990 in Amman, Jordan, Rima Al Bashir is a contemporary artist whose practice explores the intersection of history, mythology, and cultural identity through mixed media. Al Bashir’s work invites viewers into a dialogue that extends beyond the visual, aiming to engage the senses and imagination. Initially influenced by Orientalist artworks, she began using them as a lens to challenge traditional academic approaches and to develop a more contemporary visual language. More recently, her exploration of Greek mythology has provided new avenues for reinterpreting classical themes, allowing her to expand her practice in ways that are both experimental and deeply personal.

Al Bashir describes her work as "challenging the enduring Orientalist construction of Arab women—an invention rooted in colonial narratives that continue to shape perceptions today,” and makes explicit reference towards Edward Said’s critique of Orientalism as a way to explore the framing of Arab femininity. “Through my work, I reclaim agency by disrupting these narratives and asserting a self-defined identity. By layering past imagery with present realities, I reveal the tensions between historical fantasy and lived experience, navigating the complex interplay between memory, power, and representation in Arab womanhood.”

Alongside her studio practice, Al Bashir has collaborated with local institutions on projects addressing pressing social issues. After receiving a BA in Visual Arts from the College of Fine Art and Design at the University of Jordan in 2012, her work has been presented in group exhibitions throughout Amman and internationally. Al-Bashir is cemented as part of a new generation of artists from Jordan whose work resonates across cultures and contexts.

She received her Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts from the College of Fine Art and Design at the University of Jordan in 2012.