2024 - Scholarship: Mariam Ashraf
Mariam Ashraf, a gifted Egyptian artist, has been awarded a Barakat International Student Scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree at The King’s Foundation, School of Traditional Arts in London. Mariam has already established herself as a promising figure in the field of Islamic traditional arts, particularly excelling in gypsum carving and geometric design.
Graduating top of her class from Alexandria’s Faculty of Specific Education, Mariam went on to complete a diploma at The Jameel House of Traditional Arts in Cairo, where she specialized in the often-overlooked craft of gypsum work. Her dedication to reviving this ancient technique has been evident through her innovative projects, including a sculptural gypsum graduation piece and a collaborative heritage project inspired by the historic Zainab Khatoun house. Mariam’s work has been exhibited at the Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo, and she has contributed actively to the Patterns of Cairo digital initiative, which documents and disseminates Egypt’s rich decorative heritage.
Alongside her academic journey, Mariam has founded Moma, a small business dedicated to bringing traditional gypsum craftsmanship to a wider audience, offering handmade products inspired by Cairo’s historic monuments. She also regularly conducts workshops, aiming to pass on these endangered skills to new generations.
With the support of The Barakat Trust, Mariam’s studies at The King’s Foundation will allow her to expand her expertise into other traditional crafts such as illumination and miniature painting. Her ambition is to integrate these techniques into her gypsum work, create educational resources, and continue her mission to revitalise Egypt’s tangible and intangible heritage.
