In collaboration with Farah Alimi, we created more than artwork. We created a visual story rooted in softness, ritual, femininity, and care. Inspired by the cultural beauty woven throughout Syrian tradition, this limited-edition piece was designed to reflect the heart behind Barrier Bar: reclaiming intimate care as something rooted in respect, not shame. Finished with hand-placed charms and gold-painted edges, each piece was created to be kept, displayed, and remembered.
Q1: Can you tell us about yourself and your artistic practice?
I’m Farah, and I was born in Syria, where I lived until the age of ten. My childhood in Damascus is something I remain deeply attached to; it shaped me in profound ways, and the memories I created there with my family and friends continue to influence who I am today.
I later spent my teenage years in Washington, D.C., followed by most of my twenties in New York. At 28, toward the end of that decade, I moved to Marseille, and eventually settled in Paris in my thirties. Each of these places has contributed to my perspective, both personally and artistically.
My work is rooted in the Middle East, its stories, its histories, and the cultural threads that continue to shape my daily life. Through painting, I try to preserve and honor this heritage, keeping these narratives alive. This feels especially important in light of the challenges the region is currently facing, as I see my practice as a way of holding onto memory, identity, and collective experience.
Q2: You and Giana both have Syrian roots. How did that shared heritage shape your approach to this piece?
Our shared Syrian heritage was at the heart of this piece from the very beginning. Giana and I are both deeply connected to Bilad al Sham, a place that lives within us no matter where we are, and that sense of belonging naturally shaped the way we approached the work. It felt less like a collaboration between two individuals and more like a quiet, mutual remembering of home.
The painting came to life through an ongoing dialogue between us. We imagined the woman together, carefully considering every detail that would surround her and define her presence. From what she holds to what she wears, from the patterns of the tiles to the fruits she carries, each element was chosen with intention. Even the colors were guided by shared memories and emotions, coming together to evoke a sense of warmth, familiarity, and cultural intimacy that we both hold close t our hearts.
Q3: Walk us through the painting. What are we looking at, and what does it represent?
The painting centers on a woman seated with a basket of pomegranates in her hands, surrounded by white jasmine, tulips, and a vase that feels personal to her space. Behind her, historical tiles frame the scene, grounding her in a sense of place and memory. Every element is intentional, drawn from familiar objects and textures that echo a lived, intimate world.
At its core, the piece reflects the essence of being a woman and the kind of strength that is quietly inherited through generations. It speaks to what our mothers and their mothers have carried and passed on, not only in resilience, but in presence, care, and identity. She sits with pride, fully at ease with who she is, not shrinking or softening herself, but holding that identity with clarity. There is something both gentle and unwavering about her. She is beautiful and composed, but above all, she is strong, shaped by where she comes from and certain in who she is becoming.
Q4: The piece features a female figure surrounded by botanical and geometric elements rooted in Levantine design. How do you see the relationship between the female body and cultural tradition in this work?
In this work, the relationship between the female body and cultural tradition feels inseparable. The figure is not placed within these elements by chance, she belongs to them. The botanical forms and geometric patterns extend from her presence, just as much as they reflect the world she comes from. They carry a visual language that has long been shaped, preserved, and reimagined by women.
To me, women embody not only strength and resilience, but also taste, color, and an instinct for creation. Without that, the world would feel stripped of its depth and warmth. We are constantly building and shaping life around us. We invent, we heal, we plant, we feed, we raise children, we create for our communities, and we work with discipline and intention to make dreams tangible. There is a quiet force in that kind of work ethic, a determination that pushes things forward while still holding everything together.
We take in so much, often expected to carry it with ease, and still move through the world with grace. And yet, there is power in that balance. It is a kind of presence that does not need to announce itself loudly to be transformative. In many ways, it feels like women are continuously reshaping the world, taking it over gently but unmistakably, through care, creativity, and persistence.
I come from a deeply creative family, where I witnessed this dynamic closely. My grandmother played an essential role in my grandfather’s craftsmanship, helping draw out his strongest work. That creative energy, whether expressed independently or alongside others, feels intrinsic to who we are. It is always present, always building, always elevating what surrounds it.
Q5: With Meraki Co.'s new product challenges the idea that women’s bodies need to be “fixed” or “corrected.” Did that philosophy influence how you approached the artwork?
I see the female body as a kind of temple, deeply beautiful, layered, and not meant to be perfect. Perfection is not something real or attainable, and it is not something I seek. I embrace my body as it is, including the internal shifts and imbalances that come and go. To me, that is part of being human, part of being alive, part of creation itself.
The idea of fixing or correcting the body has never resonated with me. What feels more honest is care, attention, and love. Our bodies ask to be supported, to be listened to, to be nurtured rather than changed. That is where Meraki Co aligns so naturally with my perspective. It is about self love, about creating products that accompany women in their healing, not in the pursuit of perfection.
This piece became closely tied to that way of thinking. The woman is seated, yet there is nothing passive about her presence. She holds herself with quiet confidence, grounded and unapologetic, not defined by an ideal but by her own truth. There is strength in her stillness, and softness in the way she exists within herself, open to care, to feeling, to healing. In many ways, the painting reflects that journey, of honoring the body with patience, compassion, and love.
Q6: Your work is known for evoking nostalgia and a sense of home. How does that come through in a piece created for a health and wellness brand?
Health and wellness, to me, have always been deeply tied to the idea of home. They are not separate concepts, but something we carry with us throughout our lives, shaping how we feel, how we move, and how we create as women. That connection is constant, almost instinctive, and it becomes part of our everyday rituals in the same way that memory and nostalgia do.
In this piece, that sense of home comes through in the familiarity of the elements and the quiet intimacy of the scene. It is not only about a physical place, but about a feeling of being held, of being cared for, of returning to oneself. Wellness lives in those moments, in the objects, the gestures, and the stillness that remind us of who we are and where we come from.
For me, creating for a health and wellness brand felt like a natural extension of that idea. It is about honoring the connection we have with our bodies and our inner worlds, something that stays with us forever. Just like home, it is something we continuously return to, nurture, and carry forward in everything we do.
Q7: This painting will be included as a limited-edition art piece with early orders of the vulvar cleansing bar. How do you feel about your work being experienced in that context, alongside a product rather than in a gallery?
I am thrilled that this painting will be included as a limited-edition art piece. As an Arab female painter, I seek opportunities to share my work in diverse spaces—whether literal or metaphorical—to raise awareness and spark dialogue. I am grateful for the chance to have my art experienced in new and unexpected contexts, beyond the traditional gallery setting
Q8: What do you want someone to feel when they see this piece for the first time?
My hope is that anyone who encounters my work feels happy and hopeful. With this piece in particular, I want women to feel safe, seen, and free from shame or embarrassment. I want them to embrace their bodies with pride and confidence…excited to care for themselves and give their bodies the love they deserve. Sharing my art in this context allows me to celebrate women unapologetically and to bring a message of empowerment alongside the product.
Q9: There’s a growing conversation about the lack of nuance in how women’s intimate health is discussed. As an artist, how do you think visual art can contribute to that conversation?
Art has this incredible power to give shape to what can be hard to say. It allows us to express feelings, struggles, and truths in ways that words sometimes cannot capture. For me personally, putting forms and bodies on paper has always been a more natural way to communicate than writing or speaking.
Through art, difficult conversations can find a voice. It can open doors to awareness, create empathy, and allow people to engage with topics they might otherwise avoid. It’s a bridge between inner experience and shared understanding—a way to bring what is often hidden into the light, gently but powerfully. Absolutely, art can both heal and provoke, making space for dialogue where there might otherwise be silence.
Q10: What’s next for you? Are there other projects or collaborations on the horizon?
Right now, I’m simply riding my artistic wave, letting it guide me toward my next steps. There’s always something exciting unfolding, something I can’t wait to share. I feel deeply grateful for the people who have been my backbone, constantly encouraging me, pushing me forward, and believing in the stories I tell through the colors I choose.
I also want to express my appreciation to Giana and her team for including me in this process. Collaborating with her was a truly beautiful moment, two women connecting over something so emotional and dear, bringing shared memories and feelings to life in this work. It’s a reminder of how art can bridge hearts, generations, and experiences, all at once.