BIO

Riham El Adl is an Egyptian mixed media abstract expressionist artist who has been living in Amsterdam, the Netherlands since 2020. She is influenced by her North African upbringing between Egypt and Morocco as well as her extensive travels around the world, including trips in South America and its majestic Amazon rain forests . El Adl’s art emanates vibrancy, boldness and abundance of colours, drawing inspiration from her unique life experience and personal journey.  Her artwork seamlessly blends abstract, figurative and narrative elements and leaves room for each viewer to have their own interpretation.     

The paintbrush and knives have become El Adl’s chosen tools for expressing her adventurous, curious and spiritual nature.  Through her artwork, she embraces the opportunity to convey the depth of her soul and share her profound connection with the world.  

After an 18 year career working in leading PR agencies across Cairo, San Francisco and Dubai, I made the courageous decision in early 2019 to follow my true passion and dedicate myself fully to painting.  This significant shift in my life stemmed from a deep realisation that my soul yearned for a more creative and inspiring path.  Although influenced by my family’s upbringing and their  emphasis on pursuing a practical career, I finally decided it was time to prioritise my artistic calling.    

While still at my corporate PR job I devoted the last 10 years to exploring various self discovery and healing practices, including shamanic spiritual practices from South America.  My travels through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil introduced me to the ancient shamanic healing methods and opened doors to profound self-discovery.  Through these experiences, I sought to find my true purpose in life, knowing that I yearned for a creative outlet but unsure of what form in would take. 

This pivotal moment in the middle of my life prompted me to re-evaluate my life journey in corporate PR and to start over again.  It was during this period of transformation that I had the fortune of crossing paths with world renowned Norwegian Egyptian painter, Britt Boutros Ghali.  Britt graciously took me under her wings and became my art mentor.  Through her close guidance, inspiration and love, I experienced an important shift in perspective.  I realised that I had been an artist all along, only awaiting the right time and circumstances to fully embrace my creative identity.  It was during this introspective exploration that I realised the immense power of art to communicate and transform.