NAZİHA BOUSSAİD

Tunisia – In a world where social norms and patriarchal mindsets try to limit women’s creativity, art becomes not only a space of expression for women but also one of the strongest paths to liberation. Tunisian painter Henda El-Obaidi is one of the inspiring examples of this journey to freedom. Her passion for colors, which began among handwoven threads, eventually transformed her into an artist who found her own voice in the world of abstract art. In each of her paintings, Henda El-Obaidi reflects both a personal story and the struggle for women’s existence. Through her art, she makes visible not only her emotions but also the invisible labor and resilience of women in society.

Grandmother’s Weaving

Henda El-Obaidi’s passion for the world of colors began when she was six years old. She would watch with admiration the colorful threads her grandmother used in mergoum weavings (a traditional handwoven carpet specific to Tunisia and North Africa), eagerly collect the leftover pieces, and discover that colors were her true world.

Painter Henda El-Obaidi recalls, “In my first year at school, I turned to nothing but colors. I would draw lines spontaneously. Later, my experience evolved into abstract painting.”

Noting that her mother was always her greatest supporter, Henda El-Obaidi explains that she especially struggled with the high cost of art supplies.

“My mother worked very hard for me. Every bit of money she gave me, I would take straight to the stationery shop to buy materials,” she says.

The artist describes her first exhibition as a very emotional moment, adding, “I managed to sell half of my paintings.”

Renewed Exhibitions

Since 2015, Henda El-Obaidi has held four solo exhibitions. She recalls opening her first exhibition at the Salahaddin Gallery in Sidi Bousaid, noting that it was a significant turning point: “The gallery embraced me and gave me strong motivation to continue,” she says.

The artist emphasizes that in each exhibition she displays around 28 paintings, each carrying its own unique style and meaning.

Explaining her choice of abstract art, she says it offers “a vast space to search for oneself and to express freely.” She continues: “The nature of Tunisia is my greatest source of inspiration. With its mountains and sea, my beautiful country is the source of my love for colors. That’s why I repaint it in a special style and highlight it with a unique color.”

Although she focuses on abstract painting, her works also carry human messages. During solidarity actions, she spontaneously painted a ship, and with this painting she joined a solidarity convoy in Sidi Bousaid organized in support of the Palestinian struggle.

A Call to Support the Youth

According to Henda El-Obaidi, young painters at the start of their careers lack sufficient support and exhibition spaces. The artist says, “My family was by my side, but many have no opportunity to work or showcase their creations. Yet young people have real talents, and they need more support.”

In this context, she recalls that former Minister of Women, Children, and the Elderly, Neziha El-Obaidi, after seeing her work on social media, visited her to encourage her and presented her with a plaque of recognition.

Art Is the Mirror of the World

Henda El-Obaidi summarizes her artistic philosophy as follows: “Art, the beauty of art, and the honesty of art give me the opportunity to express not only my own emotions but also the emotions of the people around me. I have painted my world on my own, and in each of my paintings there is life, the sea, light, and a love for life.”