Somali artist trains Mogadishu youth to reclaim creativity through painting
Tuesday July 22, 2025
A young Somali artist receives guidance during a painting session at an art studio in Mogadishu. The growing interest in visual arts among Somali youth reflects a cultural revival and a shift toward creative expression in a country long affected by conflict. CREDIT / Reuters
Mogadishu (HOL) — In a modest studio tucked behind a quiet alleyway in Somalia’s capital, Masla Abdi Deir is quietly staging a creative revolution.
Twice every month, his small space fills with brushes, acrylics, and over 50 young Somali students eager to learn the art of painting. In a city where the legacies of war and conservatism often overshadow creativity, Deir’s studio is one of the few places where young people are encouraged to dream.
“Among the various challenges I have faced, the lack of equipment and encouragement stands out,” Deir said. “Additionally, many people do not understand the essence of the arts or the use of a pen in artistic expression. In some places there is a belief that the arts are sinful, further complicating the pursuit of creativity.”
In Somalia, where access to formal art education is virtually nonexistent, Deir’s mission is radical. Deir’s lessons are grounded in more than brushwork. Each session challenges the social norms that discourage artistic expression, particularly in communities where drawing and painting are still seen by some as unnecessary—or even forbidden. The studio has become a testing ground for how young Somalis can challenge those perceptions and claim space to create.
Recently, his students took their work to the streets. Dozens of colourful canvases were displayed in an open-air exhibition, capturing the attention of curious passersby. Many of the paintings carried themes of peace, unity, and healing—a visual counter-narrative to the images of conflict that have long defined Somalia’s capital.
For many viewers, the artwork sparked conversation. For the artists, it was the first time their voices had been seen.
Deir sees art as a tool for transformation, not decoration. While his students learn how to mix colours and master composition, the real lesson is empowerment. He wants to create a new generation of Somalis who see possibility, not paralysis.
“The goal is not just to teach technique, but to create a space where young people can imagine something different for Somalia.”
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