Raawiyah Dhoomun: A savvy blend of ecology and art

She is passionate about drawing and is also a convinced ecologist. Raawiyah Dhoomun creates sculptures and artworks and she gives punch to her creation by using recycled items. The Art and Design student of the Fashion and Design Institute held her first solo exhibition last December at the Hennessy Park Hotel, in Ebene.

Since her childhood, Raawiyah Dhoomun dreamt of only one thing: pursuing a career in art and become an artist. “Whenever adults would ask what I wanted to do when I grow up, I’d always say an artist,” she says. Today, the young lady is proud of her journey as she launched her first solo exhibition ‘Entrepren’Art’ in December. It was an opportunity for the Art and Design student of the Fashion and Design Institute (FDI) to showcase her talent as well as her creative and colourful artwork.

Raawiyah Dhoomun is in fact an artist who does not restrain herself to only one style. She does folk and ethnic art, painting, relief printing, satin glass, mosaic, decorative hanging, and embroidery. “Some artists focus on specific art form, for me I just love to create. I found different ways to create with easily available material and I still love to experiment with different art forms and mediums. I use all sorts of artistic media: coloured pencils, markers, gel pen, acrylic paints, oil paints, chalk pastels and other mediums. It just depends on my mood and how I want the finished products to look like,” she explains.

But what inspired her for her unique arts designs? “Weddings were the best times… More than an art form, the application of henna is a must on this occasion. I spent hours learning how to create the intricate designs on my own hand. Thus, the constant exposure to folk art sparked my interest in many different art forms.” Raawiyah spent a lot of time drawing and colouring during her school days.

But the person who motivated her to follow her heart is none other than her mother. Stylist and entrepreneur by profession, her mother is her source of inspiration. “My mother, Waheeda, always gave me the motivation to draw or to paint. She was also a student of the School of Design, now known as the FDI,” she shares. The young artist was inspired by her mother’s designs on the fabrics. “I would observe my mother when she was sewing or designing new dresses. I love to observe and create in my own way.”

An ecological mindset

As an artist, Raawiyah also holds at heart the protection of the environment. She thus contributes in her own personal way towards the preservation of the gifts of Mother Nature by practicing recycling. As she explains to us: “The best way to safeguard Earth’s resources is to reduce the amount of things that we use and to reuse things instead of throwing them away. Recycling them is better than simply tossing them out in the trash.”

Raawiyah encourages other artists to practice recycling as well. “I encourage other artists to take care of the earth and the environment; otherwise the earth will lose its ability to provide many things. Try thinking about what you would eat if there were no healthy soil to grow food or what you would wear.”

The young talented lady shares that she looks forward to a bright future as artist and most importantly continue making her parents and family proud. “Thanks to my parents, especially my mum and my whole family for what I have accomplished today. I would also like to thank to one of my best friend Cedric who was here to help me whenever I needed it.”