Valia Abou Alfadel stands today as one of the Arab world’s most compelling artistic voices, a Syrian visual artist and creative art director whose work transcends technique and enters the empire of emotional philosophy. With more than 55 exhibitions worldwide, recognition as one of the top 20 watercolor artists globally, and Dubai’s prestigious Golden Residency, her journey is not one of simple artistic growth but of profound transformation, resilience, and purpose.
From the classrooms of Damascus to the creative landscape of the UAE, Valia’s work bridges emotion and intuition, tradition and innovation, and the enduring human search for beauty and meaning. In this exclusive in-depth conversation, she opens the door to her artistic universe, revealing the inspirations, beliefs, and philosophies that shape her craft.
The Beginning: Art as a Lifelong Companion
Q1. Valia, can you take us back to where your journey began? What first drew you to art, and how did you discover that it would become your life’s path?
Valia Abou Alfadel:
“Art, for me, was not a talent I discovered; it was a truth I inherited. Growing up in Syria, I did not look at the world as objects or scenes; I saw it as color, rhythm, and silent emotion. Everything carried beauty, even the simplest corner of a street or the passing expression of a stranger. Art became my first language before words had meaning.
When I joined the High Institute of Fine Arts, I didn’t learn how to create; I learned how to listen. It helped me uncover the voice inside me, the one that lived beyond technique. Art became my mirror, my refuge, and my way of reconciling with realities that life presents but words fail to express.
Moving to the UAE did not detach me from my roots; it expanded them. Here, I found space to breathe creatively, to transform memory into message, and to carry my artistic identity across new horizons. My journey in art is an ongoing question, a search for the light that exists inside every human soul.”
A Life Fueled by Passion
Q2. You have exhibited your work in over 55 exhibitions worldwide. What keeps your passion alive after so many years?
Valia:
“What keeps me active as an artist is not the exhibitions or the recognition, it is the eternal dialogue between my inner world and the unknown. Standing before a blank canvas feels like standing before destiny. Even today, after decades of creating, I approach each new work with the same sense of wonder, fear, and excitement I had in the beginning.
Art is not a profession; it is a way of being. It is a spiritual practice, a connection between the seen and the unseen. Each exhibition I participate in is not a milestone but a moment of communion, with others, with myself, and with the universal emotions that unite us as human beings.
As long as there are emotions left unspoken, beauty left undiscovered, and souls longing for light, my passion for art will never fade. It is an endless journey.”
“Love Is My Message” – A Philosophy, Not a Phrase
Q3. The phrase “Love is my message” appears throughout your work. Why is love such a central theme in your artistic identity?
Valia:
“Love, as I express it, is not romantic. It is existential. It is the source from which creation flows, the invisible energy that binds all things together. When I say ‘Love is my message,’ I am referring to a universal truth: love is the only force capable of revealing beauty that is deeper than the surface.
Women often appear in my paintings because women embody this paradoxical essence, strength and fragility, light and shadow, silence and expression. A woman carries within her an entire universe of emotions, memories, and unspoken truths.
To paint love is to paint humanity, our struggles, our hopes, our fears, our rebirths. I use color, form, and symbolism not to decorate life, but to uncover what is noble and sacred within it. In a world burdened by division and noise, I want my art to serve as a moment of quiet light, a reminder that beauty still exists, and love remains our most powerful language.”
Balancing Traditional and Digital Expression
Q4. You work seamlessly across both traditional and digital mediums. How do you balance these two artistic worlds?
Valia:
“I view traditional and digital art not as opposites, but as two harmonious dimensions. Traditional art, especially watercolor, is my home. There is a delicate unpredictability in watercolor that mirrors human emotion. It is honest, spontaneous, and refuses to be controlled. It teaches surrender.
Digital art, however, represents possibility. It allows me to explore and build upon traditional work, adding layers, depth, and new interpretations. Digital tools do not replace the soul of the artwork; they expand it.
Many of my pieces begin as physical sketches or watercolor washes and then evolve digitally. This hybrid process allows me to bridge the tactile with the intangible, the past with the future.
Both mediums share a single mission: to translate emotion into form and preserve the message of beauty and love.”
Creativity and Media: The UAE Influence
Q5. You’ve spent years working in art direction and media in the UAE. How has this shaped your artistic journey?
Valia:
“Working in media taught me the power of visual storytelling, how an image can move people, persuade them, touch them, or awaken something inside them. It sharpened my understanding of composition, symbolism, and emotional resonance.
The UAE, with its openness and cultural diversity, offered me a space where creativity is not only accepted but celebrated. It is a land that respects art, innovation, and identity. This environment helped me evolve not only technically, but spiritually.
The media allowed me to understand how art becomes communication. It pushed me to refine my visual language and speak to audiences beyond borders. It expanded my vision as an artist, allowing my work to reach wider, deeper, and more profound.”
Receiving Dubai’s Golden Residency
Q6. You were honored with Dubai’s Golden Residency. What does this recognition mean to you?
Valia:
“Receiving the Golden Residency felt like a whisper from the universe, a quiet affirmation that art, when created with sincerity, finds its home. It was not just a recognition of my work; it was a recognition of my journey.
For an artist who traveled from Syria with dreams carried in a suitcase, this honor symbolized belonging, stability, and respect. It reaffirmed that the messages I embed in my art, love, beauty, femininity and compassion, resonate with others.
But for me, the Golden Residency is also a responsibility. It encourages me to keep creating, keep inspiring, and keep opening windows to light. It reminds me that art can transform not only walls but hearts.”
Final Reflections: Art as a Pathway to Light
In closing, Valia shared a reflection that encapsulates her essence as an artist:
“Art is not about fame or achievement. It is about awakening the beauty we all carry inside. My goal is not to paint reality as it is, but as it could be, softened by love, elevated by light, and remembered by the soul.”
As our conversation concludes, it becomes clear that this journey is far from over. The insights shared reveal a leader who blends vision, strategy, and disciplined execution to create lasting impact. Their ability to see opportunity where others see limits continues to set new benchmarks for the industry. The road ahead is rich with possibilities, and this story is still unfolding, promising even greater milestones as they help shape the future with clarity, purpose, and unwavering ambition.
