With just a week to-go until we kick-off Ways of Working, our new collaborative workshop series with Pre-Reserved, we caught up with multidisciplinary artist Maha Eljak, to talk about her inspirations, methods and themes behind the zine-making workshop she’ll be leading next Sunday, July 20th.
Taking place at Pre-Reserved studio, the workshop aims to create an intimate, collaborative space for raw self-expression and shared making. Led by multidisciplinary artist Maha Eljak, participants will co-create a zine inspired by her bold, DIY publication Mahazine. Throughout the afternoon session, Maha will open up her process, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at the motivations, methods, and materials behind her craft.
While we get everything set up, keep on reading for a look into Maha’s world and a glimpse of what’s to come.
And if you haven’t already, grab your ticket here—your pass includes access to the workshop, a printed copy of the zine, and unlimited kombucha, tea, and coffee to keep you fueled all afternoon.
For those meeting you for the first time, how would you introduce yourself? Who is Maha Eljak?
I’m a multidisciplinary artist and zine maker. I’ve always been creative ever since I could hold scissors and it never really stopped. My work is loud and honest. I want to take up space, create meaningful art, and inspire others to do the same. I express myself in everything I do from what I wear to what I make. I’m proudly Sudanese, I love being an auntie and will never say no to Sudanese food or performing on stage.
“My work as an artist was born out of a sense of frustration. The world kept telling me who I could and couldn’t be. I was supposedly too alternative, too Black, too Dutch, too much, too little. […] Instead of shrinking myself to fit in I chose to create Mahazine.”
What was the pivotal moment that made you realize you needed to start Mahazine?
It all started in 2021 when I discovered zines after buying one from the Amsterdam feminist collective Pisswife. That little booklet brought so many different stories together, it touched on different themes and opened up a whole new world for me. Visually and contentwise it was so super strong.
A few months later I started a new course and created my own zine. My work as an artist was born out of a sense of frustration. The world kept telling me who I could and couldn’t be. I was supposedly too alternative, too Black, too Dutch, too much, too little. My interests didn’t match what people expected from how I look, and my identity was often misread or boxed in. Sometimes it felt like I constantly had to choose between different versions of myself, while in reality, I am all of them at once.
Instead of shrinking myself to fit in I chose to create Mahazine. Frustrated about how people saw me, I decided to centre my own narrative. I show my identity the way I want to show it. The result is a creative explosion of energy, colourful collages, interviews, stories, poetry, and photography. Through my art, I want to reflect on society, raise awareness, and inspire people to look beyond their own assumptions.
Can you describe your creative process? What inspires you, and what techniques do you use in your work?
My process is always very organic, there’s this itch deep inside that I need to get out of my system, whether by writing, drawing or whatever medium feels right in the moment. It’s often connected to what’s happening inside me and around me, my intersections, my frustrations, my view of society.
I draw inspiration from punk zines, I love their straight forward style and how raw and powerful they are. I collect fragments, phrases overheard on the street or internet, magazines, books and turn them into something that aligns with me. I mix digital work with analogue methods using scissors, glue, scanners, printers, tape, whatever’s on my desk or in my room.
We brainstormed, interviewed, made collages, tore up magazines/books, and talked about what it means to express yourself freely.
You recently led a series of workshops at Museum Het Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder. Could you share more about that experience and the final outcome?
Over nine sessions, I worked with a group of young people from Amsterdam to create a collective zine called VOICES. The focus was identity, asking questions like ‘Who are you?’, ‘What parts of your world deserve more visibility?’ and ‘Which stories should be remembered?’
We brainstormed, interviewed, made collages, tore up magazines/books, and talked about what it means to express yourself freely. Seeing the zine printed and exhibited there and knowing these young voices are now part of the museum’s story is incredibly special. I’m super proud of them and can’t wait to see how they will evolve
What do you hope attendees will take away from your Ways of Working workshop next week?
I hope people leave feeling braver about taking up space, even if it’s just on one piece of paper. That they see how simple tools, scissors, tape and a pen can turn their thoughts into powerful pages. That they feel how art can be resistance, but also play. That they feel free to make something imperfect, honest, and real. Mostly, I hope they realise that their voice is the most powerful tool (your story matters!)
You can purchase the ticket for Maha’s workshop, taking place at Pre_reserved on the 20th of July from 14:00 until 16:30 through this link.
What to Expect:
- An interview with Maha, offering insights into her creative process, inspirations, and the origins of Mahazine.
- An introduction to Maha’s working techniques such as cutting, pasting, and scanning.
- Warm-up exercises including brain dumps and interview activities exploring themes of identity, self-expression and resistance.
- Each participant will create their own A3 spread to be included in the zine.
- At the end of the workshop, all spreads will be collected and scanned to form a collaborative zine, exhibited during the closing party in September.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own materials, such as drawings or writing samples. Tea, coffee and Kombucha by Cultcha will be provided throughout the event.
Can’t wait to work together!
Xx, Aa
