These Arab artists are using Twitter to showcase their work

With much of the Middle East in turmoil, its sometimes difficult to remember the talent that has emerged in the region. Perceptions of the Arab world and its people are often buried under misconceptions, which are related to the political climate.

These Arab artists refused to be a part of this narriative. With the #ArabArtists hashtag emerging on Twitter, many of them took to social media to promote their talent and their work.

The types of artists were diverse, and so were the pieces they showed off. From photographers, to painters and digital illustrators, they took inspiration from the world around them.

— maryam alrajeh (@maryam_k92) August 17, 2017 " style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post Hi, i'm Maryam 👋🏼 I hate talking about myself but I wanted to join this hashtag 🤓 #ArabArtists pic.twitter.com/jYQR709TX8 — maryam alrajeh (@maryam_k92) August 17, 2017

Not all of the talent had formal training

— its.marys (@its_marys) August 18, 2017" style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post #ArabArtists . Hi 🤗 I'm maryam, self taught artist. Love drawing portrait . Love pencil sketch and little of charcoal may add a magic ♥️ pic.twitter.com/d6Bkh3sbmm — its.marys (@its_marys) August 18, 2017

— Leena - Artist (@_sketcher) August 17, 2017 " style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post Hi, I'm Leena; a hobbyist/self-taught artist and an occasional freelancer.#ArabArtists pic.twitter.com/vZZoEUyE2Q — Leena - Artist (@_sketcher) August 17, 2017

Picture perfect moments...

— Meshari Bin Hasan (@twiggymoo) August 19, 2017" style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post Hi I’m Meshari. Photographer from Kuwait. We out here. 🙌🏽 #ArabArtists pic.twitter.com/CqgOaAwrcz — Meshari Bin Hasan (@twiggymoo) August 19, 2017

— salma (@gretagerwing) August 19, 2017 " style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post HELLO i'm 18, egyptian, and i'm a photographer/videomaker (also going to uni to study filmmaking v soon) 🌸#ArabArtists pic.twitter.com/faHV7KFlQp — salma (@gretagerwing) August 19, 2017

Abdullah featured a photo of a Mahmoud Darwish - Palestinian poet and icon for its liberation movement - he found.

— عبدالله زايد (@3bdullah_zayed) August 19, 2017" style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post Hi! I'm Abdullah,I'll let the pictures speak for themselves #arabartists pic.twitter.com/2pHQWrKfuF — عبدالله زايد (@3bdullah_zayed) August 19, 2017

With talent comes ambition 

— مها (@mahaoey) August 17, 2017" style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post #ArabArtists hi, im maha 22 Y.O a traditional/digital freelance illustrator 🙏 i'm working on my own comic/webtoon pic.twitter.com/g2qLpIXLan — مها (@mahaoey) August 17, 2017

Let us know your favourite on Twitter @The_NewArab