I am Heba Rena Yassin, a Hatfield based freelance artist. I was born in Sutton, UK and grew up in Limassol, Cyprus.
I studied BA Fine Art at the University of Hertfordshire and later MA Digital Art and Design at the University of Nicosia.
My work is very much influenced by Japanese art and culture. The world of anime and manga captivated my imagination since I was a teenager. I have always been interested in the relationship between image and narrative. As a freelancer, I primarily create comics and character designs based on my own or other people’s stories. I also do logo, t-shirt and tattoo designs, etc.
I also love to paint and draw. I am passionate about museums and galleries. I have worked at various museums and galleries including Tate Modern, Tate Britain and the Natural History Museum. I have volunteered at the House of Illustration and London Craft Week. I have partaken in various group exhibitions and events, including Hyper Japan Festival, Cyprus Comic Con, Candid Arts, and the Menier Gallery. I have a few publications, such as SAM for WriteCY and Mapping of Galleries in Limassol for Bibliophilia Magazine. I have also done manga workshops and demonstrations in libraries in Hertfordshire for the ‘My Story’ Project.
The biggest reward for me is to be able to keep creating art, and relay powerful and relevant messages through my work. If I manage to convey any emotions to the viewer, that is more than enough for me.