Amira Tanany
Egyptian'street-2
This illustration recall, the Egyptian proverb ("Give the bread to the baker, even if he eats half of it") is brought to life with warmth and symbolic richness. The proverb conveys a timeless lesson: entrust tasks only to those skilled and trustworthy, for the outcome will justify the cost.
At the center sits an elderly woman with wise, weathered hands, delicately sewing or inspecting a freshly baked round loaf of bread with a contented smile. Her floral-patterned dress, adorned in vibrant reds and blues, adds texture and cultural depth, reflecting rural Egyptian identity. Surrounding her are piles of warm, golden loaves, symbols of sustenance and community.
Beneath her, a farmer milks a water buffalo with expert care, reinforcing the theme of artisanal skill and honest labor. The string from the loaf she holds connects visually to the scene below, symbolizing how trust and craftsmanship are interwoven. The bread, milk, and labor allude to a self-sufficient, harmonious rural life rooted in mutual reliance.
the brushwork and saturated colors transform this folk saying into a layered tableau of generational wisdom, emphasizing the dignity of work and the value of entrusting the right people to do what they do best.
Materials & Digital Tools: Digital art and woodcut print
About the illustrator
Amira Tanany is an Egyptian illustrator and associate professor, born in Saudi Arabia in 1989. She holds a BFA, MFA, and Ph.D. in Graphic Design from the prestigious Faculty of Fine Arts, Helwan University in Cairo. Her illustration work is deeply rooted in Egyptian cultural heritage, using surreal compositions, vivid colors, and a woodcut-inspired aesthetic to reflect folklore, daily life, and social issues. Her acclaimed project Egyptian ‘Street—winner of the 9th Mahmoud Kahil Award in 2024—visualizes proverbs, music, and symbols such as jasmine, bread, fish, and tea to tell rich, layered stories of Egyptian identity.
Amira also works as an editorial illustrator for regional and international magazines, where she explores themes related to women's rights, societal challenges, and cultural narratives. Her illustrations have tackled topics such as the denial of girls’ education in Afghanistan and the suffering of women in Sudan.
She has received several awards, including first place in the Nasser bin Hamad International Youth Creativity Award in Bahrain (2021), recognition from Behance Portfolio Reviews in Egypt, and third prize in Italy’s Diritti a Colori illustration contest (2024). In 2025, she was also shortlisted for the prestigious Communication Arts Illustration Competition.
Contact
Website: https://www.instagram.com/amiratanany
Meta (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/amira.tanany.2025
Behance: https://www.behance.net/Tannany