Reham Aarti

Meet Boise artist, Reham Aarti

@rihmeh

From:
Kuwait, currently in Boise

Medium:
Mosaic

Inspiration:
Disdain for the patriarchy

What motivates you:
Everything

Any other interesting details about you?
I’m here for the fight!

Images © Reham Aarti. Reproduced by permission.

About Reham Aarti

What’s your background and what led you to become an artist?

Art wasn’t my original plan, but just before I graduated HS, Iraq invaded my home (Kuwait) and I ended up in the states. I found myself drawn to mosaics and decided, when I came to a crossroads with my work, that I wanted to try to make a go of it, so I borrowed $2,500 from my mom and gave myself a month to see what I could do… 3 weeks later I was in a gallery, 2 months after that I got my work into 2 gift shops, and never looked back! It’s been an interesting 26yrs!

How long have you been making art?

I grew up in a family of artists and teachers, it was just for fun until I decided to go for it full time 26yrs ago.

What keeps you motivated today, and what inspires you?

What keeps me motivated is knowing that working for myself as an artists continues to give me the flexibility to prioritize my boys (single mom for 20yrs) and I know how much value I’ve added to a world that sometimes frustrates me, what inspires me? Everything? I know it sounds cliched, but the way rain runs down a window, blooms on a tree, rainbows of oil in a parking lot… all of it makes my heart flutter and want to make shiny things!

Are there specific experiences and themes you explore in your art?

I’m extremely political, I consider myself an activist, it’s a huge part of my life, but 90% of the time I try to use my art as a resting place for my mind, color, and sparkle… the kid in me just loves tiny treasures and wants to share them, so most of the time I make bright vibrant art, things that hopefully make people stop and smile… when I do let the other side into my work, I try to express the big feelings, I want people to feel seen.

Is there a specific message or emotion you want viewers to feel from your work?

Joy, wonder, I want to add so many tiny details that people can’t help but stop and take a few minutes to marvel at the tiny details that make mosaics and life so heartbreakingly exquisite.

Why do you believe in The Pro-Voice Project? 

Because none should ever have to feel like they don’t have sovereignty and autonomy over their own body. The idea that choices people make that are pivotal in their lives should be allowed to be judged and dissected by strangers is abhorrent to me. And I’ll always fight for those rights. 

What brought you to Idaho, and what keeps you here? 

The war brought me, my mom was from Idaho and moved to Kuwait when she married my dad, we came here when we had to leave after the invasion, and I stayed because I thought it would be unjust of me to take my kids away from their fathers.

Connect with Reham

Facebook: Mosaic Essential

Instagram: @Rihmeh

Studio by appointment: 208.841.5988

Website: the website is getting an overhaul now! 

Join the Mosaic – How to Participate

All mediums welcome. No size or theme restrictions!

We encourage works that explore:

  • Bodily autonomy

  • Feminism

  • Reproductive rights & justice

  • Motherhood

  • Gender equity

  • Abortion

  • Sexual rights & freedom

  • Reproductive health & care

Deadline for submissions is June 1, 2025.

Art drop-off locations: North Idaho, Boise, Wood River Valley, and coordinated as needed.

Mosaic Launches June 28 in Boise.

Contributing Artists

Sign up to participate!