Alumnus of the Year, Moe Mustafa: "Who will tell your story if you don't tell it yourself?"

– If I don't tell my story, who will? I know that others may ask why my story is so important. I answer that everyone's stories are important.

According to Mustafa, every voice in life is important, and you have to listen to all the different stories and voices.

– The critical thing that I want to tell and communicate to people with my work is the idea of resistance. This word has been on my mind a lot lately. It has both depth and a strong purpose. It has to do with my own history, my family and my journey. How we move from one place to another, how much life around us changes and affects us. Resistance is a good illustration of the message conveyed by my work. 

Studying at TAMK helped finding a voice as an artist

Mustafa studied art and media at TAMK on the Mediapolis campus. In his opinion, Tampere University of Applied Sciences and its media sector offer a wide range of opportunities for students, and you can choose suitable courses for yourself. 

– I had a really good relationship with my teachers at TAMK, such as Antti Haapio, Fanny Niemi-Junkola and Juha Suonpää. They helped me to develop my own voice as an artist. During my studies, I received a lot of advice, and there were many opportunities to participate in various events. From TAMK, I take with me the sense of opportunity I got on the Mediapolis campus. 

Prior to starting his studies at TAMK, Mustafa had been in Finland for five years. He was nervous about starting his studies, as he did not have any acquaintances or family in Tampere. But because the degree programme was international and the students came from different backgrounds, many were in the same situation. It brought a sense of belonging. 

Mustafa thinks that there could be more English-language degree programmes available to attract international students. In addition, higher education institutions could do more in helping students to integrate into society, and not only through studies.

– The language issue is so important in Finland that it would be good to support international students in learning Finnish slowly and easily from the very beginning. I wish that the ability to speak Finnish would not be such a crucial thing for students who come from another country.

All of Mustafa's studies are related to art and support each other. With his previous studies, he was able to partially substitute courses that were required at TAMK. He had already graduated as a graphic designer in Amman. He also studied theatre pedagogy at the Open University and later gained a Master of Arts degree at Aalto University. 

– I always come up with studies and workshops that add to my experience. When you make art, all the work supports each other – it doesn't matter if it's sound, film or theatre. The world is the same, only the perspective is different.

Knocking on many doors – inspiration from his own life

On the work front, Moe Mustafa has a lot going on. 

– At the moment, I am involved with several projects. I'm writing a book and making a sound installation, and my audio essay is currently broadcasting on Yle Areena (Floating Body of a Cloud). Next year, I will have a few theatre projects that I will script, act or direct.

Mustafa started theatre work at the Tampere Telakka where he made his directorial debut.

– It will always be a meaningful experience for me, because it was my first step into Finnish theatre. It is both important and dear to me to remember where I started. It was also little scary to lead a group as I had not graduated as a director: it was my first experience of directing. But the group was nice and everyone supported each other. That's why I will always cherish this experience in my mind.

The versatile artist is currently working on a book too. It tells a story of two men who fall in love with each other and whose sexual orientations are different. The book consists of, for example, pictorial poems.

– The book is also about how current politics is changing our perception of freedom. The whole book questions the idea of what would happen to our bodies or our sexual freedom if all this continues: who has the freedom to question their sexuality?

Contemporary politics influences Mustafa's work and mind.

– I think about my family's history and what is happening in Gaza, where I come from and where I am now – that is a theme that influences my work at the moment.

His work is inspired by his own life and voice.

– The Muslim queer identity weighs heavily on my voice. Who will tell my stories if I don't? That is why I am talking about this topic. 

Everything Mustafa does in his work is based on a different way of thinking. For example, he likes the painting behind his back but says it doesn't convey any deeper meaning.

– When painting, I descend into a space where I detach myself from everything. I don't have to put emotion into my paintings. That's why I use colors. Last year, I noticed that working with colours is like escaping to a refuge. When I don't want to talk about politics, queer identity or myself, I paint. 

Photo: Emmi Rämö

– When I am working with music, theatre or writing, my work is stronger, more personal and more profound. Maybe I enjoy it more, because it also affects other people, forms a bigger picture, and is related to different experiences. But I can't say what is the best thing about my job. My work is art, and that is the best.

When Mustafa is working on a theatre project, he spends two months in the theatre full stop. 

– A small family is born there, which is together all the time. It has its own energy and atmosphere. I like theatre projects: they give me this feeling like, ah, now life begins!

Mustafa is not really dreaming about where life and career will take him in the future.

– Maybe I'll never be able to dream. I know I'm going in the right direction. And wherever that direction leads, that's my dream. At least I think so. When I was young, I wanted to control my own life. But now I think that maybe it's a good thing that future remains open. You don't have to control your whole life. I'll let the flow take me, and we'll see what happens.

He says that he is a bit stubborn when it comes to work.

– I don't want to take no for an answer. I know it sounds arrogant, but I knock on many doors. Politely, of course, as I don't want to cause any problems. I try once, twice, three times. Sometimes nothing happens, and that's life. 

Mustafa is particularly interested in the concept of honesty in his work.

– It may seem like I'm just telling my own story and describing my own life, but when you think broadly, everything I talk about can be related to someone else's life. That's why honesty is so important to me.

Honesty is about stripping oneself: Think of it as a film negative when it is exposed to light, the colors come out and the whole picture is revealed, it is beautiful and bright. Honesty is the same thing. When I'm completely honest in my work and don't try to hide anything, I take people with me on that journey, and in some way, the story becomes meaningful to them as well.

Moe Mustafa

Having a good heart is the most important thing

Everything in Mustafa's life has to do with art. In his free time, he is interested in what is happening in the world of art and design.

– Even in my free time, my brain is constantly working on different ideas related to work or art. But that's not a negative thing, it keeps me going. 

As a person, Mustafa sometimes feels that he is difficult. 

– At the same time, I'm very friendly and very funny. At least that's what I've been told. I am also very sensitive, and I would like that to change in the future. It's complicated to be sensitive and difficult at the same time; it's not a good combination. The Arabs have a saying that seems to be known all over the world: "If your house is made of glass, you don't throw stones". This saying describes my personality well.

– Whatever I do, I do with a good heart. And that is the most important thing.

The artist's favourite place is his own home.

– I always feel safe here, and that's important to me at the moment. Another favorite place is Marjaniemi beach. I lived close to it for two years and went there every day. I also wrote there. I still go there when I want to, for example, calm down or write something.  

Being selected as Alumnus of the Year is a sign of appreciation 

Mustafa feels great about being chosen as TAMK's Alumnus of the Year.

– When I first received the email telling I had been chosen, I was a bit shocked; Did I understand correctly what is happening now. 

– It's always good to be recognized within your field and to know that people are following what you do. I felt special about being chosen and appreciated.

It's hard for Mustafa to think of himself as a role model. 

– I would like to be a person who helps others when needed. For example, if students have questions specifically related to art, they can always contact me. In fact, this has already happened. 

– To the students, I would like to say: believe in your story, believe in your own experiences, believe in your own voice. These are three important things that matter in your work and art. 

After graduation, Mustafa has had only little contact with TAMK. However, he would love to contact his own teachers on the Mediapolis campus to see if there is something he could do for and with them – hold a workshop, for example.

Sometimes Mustafa plays with an idea of returning to Tampere. However, the lack of professional or other networks makes him a little hesitant.

– I will always have a good relationship with Tampere, because I started my working life there. I can say that my life in Finland really began in Tampere, even though I had already lived in Imatra for five years before that. However, it was only in Tampere that I was integrated into society.