Hawi Mijena

I create to build worlds where logic fails and imagination takes over. It’s the only way I know how to turn "what if" into "what is.

Currently 4th

in their Group
VOTE

You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!

Voting for the Top 5 ends Thursday the 4th of June at 7PM PDT

What is The People's Artist?

Learn More
What is your favorite type of art to create?

I thrive at the intersection of traditional texture and digital precision. My favorite work involves layering organic, hand-drawn elements with complex digital lighting. This hybrid approach allows me to capture the warmth of physical media while pushing the boundaries of surrealism. I’m obsessed with creating pieces that demand a second look—distorting reality just enough to make the viewer question their own perspective.

Where do you find inspiration?

Inspiration for me is a collision of opposites: the brutalist architecture of urban cities clashing with the fluid, unapologetic chaos of nature. I find myself deconstructing everyday moments—the way light refracts through a glass of water or the rhythm of a crowded subway—and reimagining them as cinematic narratives. I’m also deeply fueled by obscure scientific theories and the concept of "liminal spaces," those eerie but beautiful thresholds between the known and unknown.

What would you do with $25,000?

I’d launch an inclusive solo exhibition designed with full physical and sensory accessibility. I’d develop "Adaptive Art Kits" for disabled creators and establish a "Neurodiverse Creator’s Grant" to sponsor three artists living with autism or mental health challenges. This isn't just about showing my work; it's about providing the specialized materials and platforms these artists need to claim their space in the industry. I want to build a longer table where every mind is welcome.

The Art of Elysium

Vote for Hawi Mijena to become The People's Artist while supporting a great cause! Cast your free daily vote or make an even bigger impact when you vote by donation, supporting The Art of Elysium in their mission to use art as a catalyst to help people triumph over difficult life challenges.


1 Vote
10 Votes
25 Votes
50 Votes
100 Votes
250 Votes
Other Amount

Enter donation - $1 per vote

Powered by Colossal

Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like The People's Artist, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.


Explore Colossal Fundraising