NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� Rama Duwaji鈥檚 Election Day post on Instagram was only four words long, but said all it needed to say: 鈥渃ouldn鈥檛 possibly be prouder.鈥�
It was accompanied by a photo-booth strip of happy poses with and a voting selfie that would presage a momentous night: The 33-year-old state assemblyman would stun the political world 鈥� and opponent Andrew Cuomo 鈥� with his success in the race for the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor.
While the ultimate outcome has yet to be confirmed , many across the country woke up Wednesday eager to learn more both about Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist who's now poised to be the nominee, and also about Duwaji, . Mamdani kissed her hand during his victory speech to supporters, thanking 鈥渕y incredible wife.鈥�
Duwaji was not a public presence during much of the campaign, but is active on social media through her work. In her art career, Duwaji has worked with The New Yorker, The Washington Post, the BBC, Apple, Spotify, VICE and the Tate Modern museum in London, among others, 鈥淯sing drawn portraiture and movement, Rama examines the nuances of sisterhood and communal experiences,鈥� it says.
Duwaji, 27, who is ethnically Syrian and was born in Houston, Texas, also enjoys taking a break from her tech-based art to , particularly illustrated plates in blue and white.
And there's one very contemporary (and much-mentioned) fact that's emerged about the couple: They met on Hinge, the dating app. 鈥淚 met my wife on Hinge so there is still hope in those dating apps,鈥� Mamdani said, laughing,
About six weeks ago the candidate posted a romantic set of photos showing the couple on their wedding day at the city clerk's office earlier this year. The lead photo was a black-and-white shot on the New York subway, specifically at Union Square in Manhattan. The smiling couple held onto a pole, Duwaji dressed in a white dress and black boots and holding a bouquet, as other riders minded their own business.
In the accompanying text, Mamdani referred to online harassment the couple had experienced.
鈥淚f you take a look at Twitter today, or any day for that matter, you know how vicious politics can be,鈥� he wrote. 鈥淚 usually brush it off, whether it鈥檚 death threats or calls for me to be deported. But it鈥檚 different when it鈥檚 about those you love. Three months ago, I married the love of my life, Rama, at the City Clerk鈥檚 office. Now, right-wing trolls are trying to make this race 鈥� which should be about you 鈥� about her.鈥�
鈥淩ama isn鈥檛 just my wife,鈥� Mamdani added. 鈥淪he鈥檚 an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms. You can critique my views, but not my family.鈥�
Duwaji, in the comments, responded with humor: 鈥渙mg she's real.鈥�
on art and activism, Duwaji was asked if artists had a responsibility to speak out about global issues.
鈥淚鈥檒l always quote Nina Simone: 鈥楢n artist鈥檚 duty as far as I鈥檓 concerned is to reflect the times,'鈥� she said.
鈥淚 believe everyone has a responsibility to speak out against injustice,鈥� she added, 鈥渁nd art has such an ability to spread it. I don鈥檛 think everybody has to make political work, but art is inherently political in how it鈥檚 made, funded, and shared. Even creating art as a refuge from the horrors we see is political to me. It鈥檚 a reaction to the world around us."
On Election Day, Duwaji's mother-in-law, filmmaker Mira Nair, posted a message to her daughter-in-law about art and its importance.
鈥淒arling DIL 鈥� Art will flourish in our city in the new day,鈥� Nair wrote, adding a heart emoji.
Jocelyn Noveck, The Associated Press
