Rama Sawaf Duwaji (راما دوجي) is a Syrian-American artist known for her work in animation, illustration, and ceramics. Born in Houston, Texas, to Syrian Muslim parents from Damascus, she has lived a transnational life that informs her art, which often focuses on Arab culture, social justice, women’s rights, and current events in the Middle East.
Early Life and Education
Duwaji was born on June 30, 1997, in Houston, where her father worked as a software developer and her mother as a doctor. At age nine, the family moved to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and she spent her formative years in the Persian Gulf region. Drawing became her outlet, though her parents encouraged practicality alongside her passion. She studied communication arts at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts, starting in Doha, Qatar, before transferring to Richmond, Virginia, graduating cum laude with a BFA in 2019. After residencies in Beirut and Paris, she moved to New York in 2021, earning an MFA in illustration as visual essay from the School of Visual Arts in 2024, with a thesis on communal acts of sharing food. She was selected for a prestigious artist residency in the Catskill Mountains.
Career Breakthrough
Duwaji’s career gained momentum through freelance illustrations that blend personal experiences with broader social issues. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The New Yorker, as well as international platforms like BBC and Tate Modern. She has collaborated with tech giants Apple and Spotify, creating art that resonates with themes of diaspora and resistance.
Notable Works
Since 2023, Duwaji has produced pieces addressing the Gaza genocide, the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, and the Sudanese Civil War, using hand-drawn textures and symbolic imagery to advocate for victims. Her ceramics and animations emphasize sisterhood and communal experiences, earning her recognition in galleries and media.
