Maisson Hassan, a self-taught artist with an MSc in Physics, has made significant strides in leveraging art for social change. In 2013, she founded Fandora in her home country, Sudan. This social enterprise, whose name translates to “The role of art in the community,” focused on reducing poverty and addressing waste management issues in Khartoum through innovative recycling crafts. Maisson’s entrepreneurial spirit was recognized when she became a top-four finalist in the Mashrouy competition for entrepreneurship. She and her team trained hundreds of women in income-generating activities, collaborating with international organizations and local NGOs, while also organizing specialized art workshops for youth and children.

Maisson’s impact has been internationally acknowledged. In 2015, she was nominated and selected as Sudan’s ambassador for Women Entrepreneurship Day, joining a global team of ambassadors who celebrate and support women and girls worldwide. To further promote recycling art, she initiated and managed Khartoum’s first environmental festival, the “Trash Secrets Festival,” in 2016, featuring over 40 Sudanese artists who use recycled materials. This festival significantly raised awareness about environmental issues in Sudan. Despite the outbreak of war in Sudan in April 2023, which forced Maisson to seek asylum in the UK, she remains determined to rebuild her life. Currently, she is an asylum seeker and has been awarded a studio residency at WE RESTART Charity, participating in the A.R.I.A. Hub programme to continue her work and reach her full potential in a supportive environment.