With a smile across her lips and unbreakable focus in her eyes, the sight of Hind Khlaifat immersed in a one-line drawing has become a familiar sight at some of the Arab world’s most prominent events.
The Jordanian artist’s work has been showcased at prestigious venues, including the Royal Opera House in Muscat. For Khlaifat, art is woven into her DNA. A visual artist, writer and public speaker from the ancient city of Petra, she has emerged as a powerful cultural voice in the Middle East.
Her work often highlights the heritage of the Nabataean people. Using the "one-line" technique, she communicates a fluid, emotional reflection of human experiences.
In an exclusive interview with Art in the Middle, Khlaifat recounts her journey as an artist.
Growing up in the south of Jordan, Khlaifat’s childhood was defined by a simplicity that predated the digital age. In a large family, she found her voice through the shelves of libraries and the strokes of a charcoal stick.
"My childhood was so simple. There was no internet, but there was real life. I was someone living between the shelves of a library, exploring words by reading, sketching and creating an identity for myself," she recalled.
Describing herself as a "sandwich girl" within her family, Khlaifat said she felt an early urge to establish a distinct persona.
By the age of five, before even stepping foot in a classroom, she was already experimenting with art that would later define her career.
"I started sketching and doing one-line art before going to school. It was my way to say that I am here. I started using charcoal and pastel colours, scratching over the walls in our simple home in Ma’an."
While it was initially difficult to stand out amongst her siblings, her unique ability to express herself through imagination soon made her popular in her locality.
Though she was well established in Jordan, Khlaifat made the bold decision to relocate to the United Arab Emirates just three years ago.
At the age of 44, she was met with skepticism from those who believed it was too late to start a new chapter. "They said to me that you are too old to relocate and start from scratch. But day by day, I believe that you can start even if you are 99. Moving from Amman to Abu Dhabi was one of the best decisions I took in my life. This is a land of real opportunity. It’s a paradise for anyone who wants to create their own success."
Since her move, she has successfully balanced a high-profile corporate career with her creative passions, serving as the General Manager of a specialised training centre for public speakers. Khlaifat views leadership through an artistic lens, believing that being an artist makes her a better leader.
"Art is not just about sketching or playing music; it is about behaviour. Even in the normal workflow, I bring an artistic touch to give it something unique,” she explained.
Khlaifat describes herself as a "revolutionary artist," sidestepping traditional academic schools of art, which focus on complex layering and shadowing.
Instead, she seeks a more direct connection with her subject, often capturing the "curvy lines" of women.
"I want to create something that is art for non-artists. You can just have a blank paper and start from a dot and continue to shape the emotions of a couple or the face of a woman. I believe that sustainable art can have an identity better than academic art," she said.
Although she is a fan of Picasso, her work uses flowing lines rather than his signature cubism. George Bahgoury, the Egyptian artist is also a major influence in her artistic journey.
For Khlaifat, the act of drawing is an "auto-healing" process and a form of stress relief. "When I do sketches, I am always saying there is a new version of Hind Khlaifat. It makes me a more humanised version of myself. Even in cafes, when people see me emerged in my one-line art, it starts a conversation, especially with kids."
Whether she is sketching in Kazan, Egypt, or the UAE, her goal remains the same: to carry a message of identity through a universal language.
Looking forward, Khlaifat plans to expand her presence in public art and live symposiums, with specific goals to perform in Venice and even at the Kremlin in Moscow.
Her advice to the next generation of creators is rooted in authenticity and discipline. "Just be yourself. If you are creating authentic, real and sustainable content, you can reach worldwide. You have to be the first fan of yourself."
As she prepares for upcoming events in Riyadh and beyond, she concluded with the advice: "Just enjoy yourself. Do it in a smart, elegant way with no rush, and one day this will be your peaceful journey.”
Visit: hindkhlaifatart.ae
Evangeline Elsa is a Dubai-based journalist with 15 years of experience. She enjoys telling success stories and writing on lifestyle, arts, interiors, F&B, and Korean culture. A homebody at heart, she paints, sings, reads Substacks, and dotes on her rescue dog, Pepper.
