ARTIST STATEMENT

I was born in Alexandria, Egypt living by the sea.  I loved seeing the water, watching the waves roll in and walking on the “corniche,” the wall that was the border between the city and the beach.

Life suddenly changed when I turned 7 years old. The Egyptian revolution for independence had begun. My family was considered foreigners and overnight we became refugees fleeing to Italy by ship at dawn.  Naples became my temporary home with its crumbling walls and Mt. Vesuvius looming nearby.  The city’s ancient walls filled my mind with the colors and textures of its past. 

Arriving in the United States after a voyage that lasted 12 days at sea, I found myself isolated and lonely in a new country not understanding the language and customs. Drawing and coloring became my refuge.

During this recent time of isolation, I was drawn to my childhood memories and finding comfort in the sea, the beaches of Maine and its rocky coast. Through painting with acrylics, markings and photography, I connect the roots of my memories to the layers of the rocks, sand, earth and sky.

I hope you enjoy my work.

Dahlia Mann