Hawa Diallo’s Story
Hawa Diallo is a self-taught abstract artist, painter, aspiring farmer, and passionate chef based in New York City. Born without the privilege of formal education, Hawa defied expectations and carved her own path, teaching herself to paint with instinct, resilience, and raw emotion. Her work, now published and celebrated, speaks in textures and tones that echo her life’s journey: bold, unfiltered, and deeply human.
Beyond the canvas, Hawa finds joy in cultivating the earth and crafting meals that nourish both body and soul. Her roots ground her, even as her art continues to reach new heights. Whether she’s coaxing beauty from soil, seasoning a dish to perfection, or translating experience into brushstrokes, Hawa Diallo is a living testament to the power of intuition, determination, and creativity without limits.
Featured In
Hawa Diallo’s art and story have been highlighted in Oprah.com in the article “Refugee Hawa Diallo Creates Incredible Art” — a testament to her journey, talent, and the emotional power behind her work.
Hawa Diallo’s Philosophy Rooted in Emotion
Hawa approaches each canvas as a conversation — a dialogue between intuition and experience. Her goal isn’t to depict a scene, but to stir something internal in the viewer.
She believes that art is less about what you see and more about what you feel. In that way, her paintings are mirrors — abstract, layered, and deeply human.
Hawa Diallo’s Creative Process
Hawa Diallo begins each piece without a clear destination. Her process is guided by feeling, not form.
She builds layers slowly — painting, scraping, smudging, and often erasing — allowing unexpected moments to emerge.
Silence plays a role. So does rhythm. Her studio is a meditative space, where the work evolves on its own terms.
There’s always something underneath the paint — that’s where the real story is.
For Hawa Diallo, a finished painting is not a conclusion, but a captured moment in an ongoing dialogue.