Ages ago, when I first finished my undergraduate studies, I had one of my first exhibitions in New York City in 2003. I presented two or three paintings in a small group show. One of my included works, “Bedouin: Self-Portrait” (2002), was eventually purchased by the University of St. Cloud in 2006. As one of my first ‘real’ paintings, it exudes the naivety of an artist just starting out; this particular painting, however, was significant to me in that it paved the way, conceptually, to much of the work I am currently doing.

In an unrelated (and sort of related) story, you might remember the media hype and controversy surrounding the Islamic cultural center to be built in the “vicinity” of ground zero in NY. Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, a well known spiritual leader behind the Islamic Center and the figure behind this controversy, is the husband of Daisy Khan, the executive director of ASMA (The American Society for Muslim Advancement). Again, ages ago, ASMA saw my work at this NY exhibition and requested an interview with me. Through this interview, which still lives on their website (oh how young and inexperienced I was), I have been invited to conferences held by ASMA and have been contacted by Sep Riahi, producer and writer of “Extraordinary Women from the Muslim World” a children’s book I was hired to illustrate (just an addendum to show how things connect).

Then, in 2010 a friend sent me a link and an enthusiastic message expressing he had recognized my work on CNN! CNN? I don’t remember doing anything with CNN. Turns out, my painting hung on the walls of Imam Feisal’s offices during an interview he did in 2010. How it got there, I have no idea. My only knowledge about that painting being in NYC was during my first show in 2002. It was purchased by the University of St. Cloud, Minnesota in 2006.

The story is here: http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/08/imam-we-are-proceeding-with-nyc-islamic-center/?hpt=ac_mid (my debut at 1:58!)

Oh, how I love being indirectly implied in huge controversy without my knowledge!

Read Norma Smith Olson’s article “Powerful Portraits: Heba Amin gives faces to extraordinary Muslim women“.

“Halide Edib Adivar, Umm Kulthum, Arwa bint Ahmed al-Sulayhiyya, and Shirin Ebadi are names that may be unfamiliar to many in the United States. They are four women-a scholar, a musician, a queen and a Nobel Peace Prize winner-portrayed in the recently released book, “Extraordinary Women from the Muslim World.” 

It was a learning experience for this month’s cover artist Heba Amin, who painted 11 portraits for the book. “That’s what made this project exciting for me. It exposed me to these amazing women, many that I didn’t know about,” Amin said. In her research for the paintings, she found few pictures of the women. She had the challenge of conceptualizing their images-the perfect project for a women artist who focuses on the intellectual power of art.” [more]

Extraordinary Women From the Muslim World wins the 2009 Skipping Stones Honor Award for Multicultural and International Awareness. Here is a list of the 2009 winners.

Read Jeff Strickler’s Article “Putting a Face on Role Models” in the Star Tribune.

Minneapolis artist Heba Amin didn’t have to be asked twice if she wanted to illustrate a book on female Muslim heroes. Not only was it a chance to get a paycheck from her art after a decade spent earning three college degrees, but it was a project she wholeheartedly embraced.

“I’m very aware of cultural stereotypes,” she said. “The image of Muslim women in the United States is of veiled, oppressed people who have no voice. But in fact, Muslim women have a long history of remarkable achievements.” [more]

“Extraordinary Women From the Muslim World“ wins a 2008 Middle East Book Award in the category of Youth Non-Fiction. More information at: http://www.outreachworld.org/article.asp?articleid=121.

“Extraordinary Women from the Muslim World” has been awarded a National Best Books 2008 Award in the category of “Religion: Islam”. View complete listing: http://USABookNews.com/bestbooksawards2008.html

“Extraordinary Women from the Muslim World” has been awarded the Moonbeam Peacemaker Award!

About the award: The Moonbeam Peacemaker Award is established to honor the best book for promoting world peace and human tolerance in memory of Mattie J.T. Stepanek (1990-2004), whose poetry and messages of hope and peace have inspired millions of people around the world.

About Moonbeam: The Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards are designed to honor the best children’s books, authors and illustrators, and to support childhood literacy and life-long reading.

http://www.independentpublisher.com/article.php?page=1250

“Artist Heba Amin Explores Her Egyptian Heritage in America”
http://www.america.gov/st/diversity-english/2008/October/20081003125506maduobbA4.618472e-02.html?CP.rss=true

The article also debuted in America.gov’s publication, “Being Muslim in America“. Read the article “Young Muslims Make Their Mark: Artist Heba Amin“.