The focus of my art is to explore my religious, cultural and spiritual identies outside of stereotypes and the enclosing walls of keeping tradition without growth. Growing up with a culturally mixed identity in America can be confusing, claustrophobic, and mind-blowing. With a father from Syria and a mother from Mexico, while being born and raised in Texas. As a practicing Muslim woman  I decided to seek liberation from traditional constructs placed on people like me through the art that I create. I do this by utilizing surrealist principles, and more recently pop-art styles in my pieces. There is a notion that brown veiled women are quiet, demure and submissive, art is my protest and a way to use my voice, I am especially inspired by  Corita Kent, who often used art as a means of protest. Using bold contrasting colors I make connections to  the colorful folk art styles of the cultures that belong to my heritage while also making a commentary on being unapologetic.

---