Zaina Nabulsi is an artist whose work explores form, identity, and the evolving narrative of self through a playful yet profound lens. Educated in Visual Art and Art History from the University of Toronto, Nabulsi’s practice is marked by bold, organic shapes and a visual language that feels both intimate and expansive. Her experiences of growing up in New York inform her art, manifesting in the character
B—an ambiguous figure who doesn’t quite fit in yet eagerly interacts with the world around him. B’s journey is a reflection of the artist’s exploration of identity and the universal desire to belong, embodying both the joy and complexity of self-discovery and doing so playfully and lightheartedly when possible.

Nabulsi’s work unfolds across recurring shapes and color palettes, with each piece contributing to an ongoing story. Subtle symbols like abstracted poppies and small, carefully chosen accents of color add layers of meaning, balancing playfulness and depth. Through the visual language of B, the character and his flowers and balloons, Nabulsi creates a world where form and color invite viewers to engage with themes of transformation, memory, and the human experience.

She founded her studio, a creative space where art becomes a narrative, weaving together character, color, and self-exploration. Rooted in the artist’s experiences, the studio centers on B’s journey—a character whose playful presence and evolving story invite viewers into moments of curiosity and introspection. B is a conduit through which the studio examines themes of belonging, identity, and the ever-shifting landscape of self.

Her studio’s approach blends bold, abstract forms with a consistent visual narrative, creating a cohesive body of work that feels both playful and profound. Here, each piece is part of a larger story, capturing the balance between simplicity and depth, chaos and structure. Her studio is more than an art practice; it’s an exploration of how art can reflect life’s complexities in ways that are both relatable and visually captivating.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

My work explores the tension between visibility and invisibility, expressed through a figure that exists in its own abstract world. This figure, who goes by ‘B’ for Blob, is my lens into themes of belonging and identity. B is bound by clean, crisp lines that represent the constraints of existence and identity. Its head, with its helmet-like shape and reflective mark, obscures any facial emotion or gender, creating a universal but hidden presence. This obscurity reflects the ways I’ve struggled with belonging and my own emotional health, as well as the ongoing battle with existentialism—how we hide in plain sight and stand apart and the playful navigation of a world and its ongoing experiences.