Roudhah Hamad Al Mazrouei, NYU Abu Dhabi Class of 2024, recently won a Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance award and is excited to continue her artistic journey. She paints with a purpose: to find her own signature style. “I’ll keep painting until I find it,” she affirms.

Still, Roudhah has noted the fruits of her hard work (beyond the honor of an award), citing the improvements in her techniques, color mixing, and overall knowledge of color theory. She likes to keep her mind and hands busy, explaining that “it’s like the saying, ‘When a shark stops swimming—it dies.’”

This notion of continuing and moving forward is also evident in her approach to making art—when she’s almost finished a painting, she’s already thinking of her next piece.

Roudhah has always found it fascinating that a single brush stroke can eventually create a beautiful painting. “I also feel like I can express myself more when I create something,” she adds.

The award has only motivated Roudhah to continue striving for excellence and, of course, to continue painting. “I am excited to continue exploring new opportunities and projects, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for my professional and personal growth.”

Also helpful for Roudhah’s motivation and inspiration? NYU Abu Dhabi visiting assistant professor Shaika Rashid Al Mazrou who is one of her favorite Emirati artists. “I love the way she conveys her ideas in these very simplistic abstract sculptures… You would never imagine what tension looks like until after you look at her artwork.”

Repurposed with permission from NYU Abu Dhabi Latest News.