Who is Rama Duwaji?
Rama Duwaji is a Syrian-American illustrator, animator, and ceramic artist whose work transcends traditional boundaries of visual storytelling. Based in Brooklyn, New York, she has garnered recognition for her emotionally resonant art that explores themes of identity, sisterhood, displacement, and political resistance. Known for her powerful visual narratives that center on women of color, she’s not only an emerging force in the global art scene. Still, she is also in the public eye as the wife of NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Rama Duwaji |
| Birth Year | 1997–1998 (approx.) |
| Age (as of 2025) | 26–28 years |
| Birthplace | Texas, USA / Syria |
| Nationality | Syrian-American |
| Current Residence | Brooklyn, New York |
| Profession | Illustrator, Animator, Ceramic Artist |
| Known For | Feminist, diaspora, and political visual art |
| Education | BFA from VCU Qatar, MFA from SVA New York |
| Marital Status | Married to Zohran Mamdani (2025) |
| Languages | English, Arabic |
Early Life and Background
Born in the late 1990s, Rama Duwaji grew up between Texas, Syria, and Dubai, experiences that have deeply shaped her worldview and creative voice. Her identity as a member of the Syrian diaspora plays a crucial role in the subjects she chooses to illustrate, often merging nostalgia, trauma, and resilience into visually striking compositions.
From a young age, Rama was drawn to creative expression, finding refuge in drawing, journaling, and storytelling. Her multicultural upbringing and exposure to displacement and political instability instilled in her a deep sense of empathy, which would later evolve into the thematic foundation of her work.
Rama Duwaji Education
Rama Duwaji pursued her formal education in art and design with diligence:
- BFA in Communication Arts – Virginia Commonwealth University (Doha campus), where she honed her visual language and storytelling technique.
- MFA in Illustration – School of Visual Arts, New York City, one of the top institutions for contemporary visual artists.
Her education not only refined her technical skills but also gave her the vocabulary to navigate topics such as feminism, identity, and cultural heritage through art.
Rama Duwaji Career
Rama Duwaji’s work is a fusion of illustration, animation, and ceramics, characterized by hand-drawn textures, muted palettes, and symbolic imagery. She focuses primarily on:
- Representation of women of color and shared emotional experiences.
- Mental health, body image, diaspora identity, and political consciousness.
- Blending personal narratives with broader Middle Eastern and Arab social issues, including the Palestinian cause.
Her works have been featured in:
- The New Yorker
- BBC
- Washington Post
- Tate Modern
- Spotify, VICE, and Cartier
Beyond digital illustration, she also creates hand-built ceramics, often incorporating her drawings into the clay body, giving her storytelling a tangible, tactile dimension.
Personal Life & Marriage
In 2024, Rama gained media attention when she became engaged to Zohran Mamdani, a New York Assemblyman and 2025 NYC mayoral candidate. The two met via the dating app Hinge, and their relationship grew steadily over time.
They had a quiet engagement in Dubai and a civil wedding in early 2025 at the New York City Clerk’s office. While Zohran’s political career brought their union into the spotlight, Rama has remained grounded in her values, choosing not to chase the limelight, but instead letting her art speak for her.
| Relation | Name / Description |
| Husband | Zohran Mamdani (NYC mayoral candidate, 2025) |
| Parents | Not publicly disclosed |
| Siblings | Not publicly disclosed |
| Children | None (as of 2025) |
🔒 Rama keeps most of her family details private, emphasizing her artistic work over personal exposure.
Rama Duwaji Social Media
Rama maintains a curated but active presence on Instagram (@ramaduwaji), where she shares her art, ceramics, work-in-progress, and social commentary.
| Platform | Handle | Status |
| @ramaduwaji | Active, Art-focused | |
| Not Public | N/A | |
| Twitter/X | Not Active | Prefers Instagram |
| Website | ramaduwaji.com | Portfolio & Contact |
📌 She uses social media selectively for sharing her artwork and advocacy.
Rama Duwaji Net Worth
While Rama Duwaji is not publicly associated with commercial pursuits in the traditional sense, her art commissions, brand collaborations, teaching workshops, and feature placements contribute to her income. As of 2025:
| Source of Income | Estimated Earnings |
| Art Commissions | $50,000–$100,000/year |
| Editorial/Brand Projects | $50,000–$80,000/year |
| Workshops & Speaking | $10,000–$30,000/year |
| Ceramics & Retail Art | $20,000–$40,000/year |
| Estimated Net Worth | $200,000–$400,000 (USD) |
💡 Her income is derived mainly from art sales, freelance work, and brand collaborations.
Notable Projects & Recognition
- Featured Artist at Tate Modern’s Diaspora Series
- Solo Exhibitions in Beirut and Virginia
- Spoken at Panels on representation in art and Arab feminist identity
- Advocacy Through Art: Her work supports mental health awareness, Palestinian solidarity, and anti-colonial narratives.
Rama Duwaji Physical Appearance
Rama’s physical presence reflects her artistic persona—minimalist, composed, and grounded:
| Attribute | Details |
| Height | Approx. 5′6″ (167 cm) |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Skin Tone | Olive / Middle Eastern |
| Style | Minimalist, Modest, Artistic |
| Public Persona | Soft-spoken, Graceful |
Interesting Facts About Rama Duwaji
- Met her husband, Zohran Mamdani, on Hinge.
- Identifies as a third-culture artist, having lived in Syria, Dubai, and the U.S.
- Believes art is a tool for empathy and justice, not just aesthetics.
- Frequently hosts art workshops for refugee women and youth.
- Passionate about decolonizing art spaces and narratives.
- Uses her ceramics to memorialize Arabic poetry and family stories.
- Refuses to work with brands that contradict her values.
- Sees herself as a visual archivist of marginalized emotions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who is Rama Duwaji?
She is a Syrian-American illustrator, animator, and ceramic artist known for socially engaged visual storytelling.
Q2: Is Rama Duwaji married?
Yes, she married NYC politician Zohran Mamdani in 2025.
Q3: Where is Rama Duwaji from?
She has lived in Texas, Syria, and Dubai before moving to New York.
Q4: What themes does her art explore?
Her work often explores womanhood, mental health, diaspora, identity, and political resistance.
Q5: Is she active on social media?
Yes, she shares her work and advocacy on Instagram @ramaduwaji.
Q6: What is her net worth?
Estimated between $200K–$400K, earned through art and illustration work.
Q7: What is her educational background?
She holds a BFA from VCU Qatar and an MFA in Illustration from SVA NYC.
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