Randa Hijazi is a contemporary Syrian Canadian artist who brings a unique perspective to her work, blending the rich cultural heritage of the Middle East with the dynamic, evolving landscape of the West. Born in Damascus, Syria, Randa’s journey as an artist has been shaped by her experiences living in various parts of the world, including Dubai and, most recently, Canada, where she settled in 2017.
Her artistic roots are deeply embedded in her early education at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Damascus, where she graduated in 2000. Randa’s artistic vision was further refined through her studies at the Faculty of Mass Communication and Science of Media at the same university, where she graduated in 2008. This dual education—rooted in fine arts and media—has allowed her to approach her work with both the technical skill of a painter and the narrative sensitivity of a photojournalist.
Randa’s move to Canada marked a turning point in her career. In Montreal, she pursued further education, earning a diploma in Starting Business from the Career Center College Saint Pius X in 2019. This education equipped her with the tools to navigate the art world from a business perspective, enabling her to share her work with a broader audience. Her transition from East to West didn’t just shape her business acumen; it also profoundly influenced her artistic themes. Randa’s work is a testament to her journey, capturing the intersection of the memories of her Eastern heritage with the ever-evolving Western culture she now calls home.
One of the aspects of Randa Hijazi’s work is her focus on humanitarian themes. She delves into issues such as injustice, poverty, and marginalization, shedding light on these topics through her unique artistic lens. Her ability to marry the deeply personal with the universally relatable makes her work resonate on a profound level with her audience. Randa’s paintings are not just visual expressions; they are narratives that explore the human condition, offering a window into the struggles and triumphs of people from all walks of life.
An example of this is her solo exhibition titled “BEAT.” This collection of work was the result of a collaboration with Lions Clubs International, an organization dedicated to humanitarian efforts across the globe. The “BEAT” collection was designed to visually express the six main humanitarian goals of Lions Clubs: fighting hunger and poverty, protecting the environment, addressing diabetes, supporting childhood cancer, aiding the visually impaired, and raising awareness of autism. Through her paintings, Randa sought to encapsulate the compassion and human spirit that drive these initiatives, creating pieces that speak to the heart of what it means to help those in need.
The “BEAT” exhibition was showcased virtually in 2021 and later at the Palais des Congrès in Montreal during the annual Lions Clubs Conference in 2022, which drew a global audience of over 9,000 people. This exhibition wasn’t just a display of art; it was a statement about the role of art in addressing and raising awareness of critical humanitarian issues.
One of the standout artworks from the “BEAT” collection features a female image whose waist symbolizes the connection between the earth’s roots and the blossoming of life. This painting is deeply symbolic, representing the environment and its preservation. The waist, often associated with fertility and life, serves as a metaphor for the earth’s ability to nurture and sustain life. Through this piece, Randa conveys the message that the environment is essential to our existence—without it, there can be no life, no growth, no future.
Randa Hijazi’s work is a celebration of the interconnectedness of humanity and nature. Her paintings remind us of the delicate balance that exists between the past and the present, the East and the West, and the individual and the collective. She uses her art to bridge gaps, to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard, and to inspire change in a world that often feels disconnected and fragmented.
In conclusion, Randa Hijazi is not just an artist; she is a storyteller, a humanitarian, and a bridge between cultures. Her work is a reflection of her journey—a journey that has taken her from the ancient streets of Damascus to the modern, multicultural landscape of Canada. Through her art, she continues to explore the themes that define her experience and, in doing so, offers her audience a chance to connect with the world in a deeper, more meaningful way. Randa’s paintings are more than just images; they are conversations about life, culture, and the human spirit, inviting us all to listen, reflect, and engage with the world around us.
