We were lucky to catch up with Hanane Jamili recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hanane, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
Everyone’s heard the phrase “standing out like a sore thumb.” Well, I am the sore thumb.
As a hijabi woman, I’ve grown used to moving through the world under a spotlight I never asked for. The stares, the whispers, the bigoted remarks disguised as “just curious” questions—I’ve heard them all. For a long time, I tried to shrink myself, to take up less space, to make it easier for people to look past me. But at some point, I decided: Why should I?
So I stopped apologizing for existing. Instead, I made a choice to be proud. And I wanted that pride to show through my work. Hijab has emboldened me to be more confident a and that shows up in my work too.
As a Muslim artist, I’ve learned that mainstream galleries don’t often make space for us. Our art, our stories, our perspectives—they’re rarely seen in the places that decide what’s “worthy” of being showcased. I used to find that disheartening. Now, I see it as an opportunity. If they won’t make room, I’ll build my own space. If there’s no chair for me at the table—then I’ll build the whole damn table.
And I’m not alone. There’s a growing wave of Muslim artists, creators, and storytellers refusing to wait for permission to be seen. We’re here. We’re creating. And we’re not going anywhere.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
After two decades as an artist, I continue to be inspired to create art that is both meaningful and impactful. Every piece I paint is a reflection of my purpose: for you to discover personal meaning, to inspire a connection to God, and for me to create a lasting impact in my community.
Each painting is created with deep intention, rooted in faith, and designed to have a meaningful social impact. I have always felt the deep desire to use my art to serve others. Giving back to my community is the foundation of what I do. Through my work, I have been blessed to raise over $60,000 for various charities and initiatives. It’s both a humbling and rewarding experience and I hope to continue to serve others in any way I can.
I dedicate my work to my late mother and my three daughters.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I Think the most important three qualities for an artist to have is integrity, self worth and the desire to create impact through your work. These qualities are essential to creating it intentionality art. A budding artist must set their intentions and have a self-awareness that allows for growth and meaning.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
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For the last 20 years, I’ve signed all my artwork with the initials FA—my late mother’s initials. Every piece I create is dedicated to her. She’s been my constant source of inspiration, and honoring her through my work has always felt natural. She was an immigrant, a woman who carried resilience in everything she did. Through her, I learned what it means to persevere with grace—and to ground myself in faith. My connection to God runs through my art because of her.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Hananejamili.com
- Instagram: Hanane_jamili_collection
Image Credits
None
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
