Assil Diab, also known as  Sudalove,  is a Sudanese, street graffiti artist who has lived all over the world but spent most of her formative years in Doha, Qatar.  But when her home country was in the midst of overthrowing its president of 30 years, she went back with her art supplies to honor the lives of the young protestors who were  being killed in the streets.  

There are very few people who would return to a country in the midst of political upheaval. There are even less who would be documenting it with a spray paint can. 

But Assil did.

But before you get to that story — you have to  learn about her.   You need to know she’s the daughter of a former Sudanese Ambassador, whose entire professional trajectory changed when Omar al Bashir took power in 1989.  You need to know how much she struggled with her identity as a  African, Arab Muslim Third Culture Kid. You need to know how she had no other choice but to become an artist and use it to tell powerful stories. 

In this episode, we discuss her own struggles with  identity growing up, what studying in the U.S. taught her about the accessibility of art, and recount the powerful scenes she witnessed while painting a country in transition. 

Her story is complex and layered.  And honestly,  I’m glad she’s here to tell it.