Soraya Abu Nabaa

Lives and works in Miami, FL, USA

Artist statement

I am interested in manifesting my multicultural background by referencing traces of lived experience through an amalgamation of processes and themes. My work bridges the historical value of women’s craft with contemporary narratives, exploring depictions of the body, nature, the secret language of flowers, and their symbolic and material connections to textiles. My practice is deeply rooted in both my maternal lineage and personal journey. As Arab descendants who arrived on the island of Hispaniola in the early 20th century, my family—like many others—began as textile merchants. By chance and over time, they transitioned into art dealers, particularly in Haitian and Dominican art. I was raised in an environment immersed in visual culture, surrounded by bold colors, rich forms, and layered aesthetic languages. This Caribbean upbringing profoundly influenced my sensibilities, particularly my vibrant palette and deep appreciation for syncretic traditions. My work spans painting, drawing, sculpture, textile installation and performance. A notable part of my practice involves collaboration with Dominican artisans using the technique of pelliza—knotted pieces of fabric on a burlap-like plastic base traditionally used for agricultural transport. These materials and methods speak to both femininity and the layered complexities of identity. They symbolize continuity, transformation, and resilience—an embodied archive of memory and labor. I approach artmaking as a philosophical...

Artwork