Sandra Jabbour is an interdisciplinary artist who creates artworks that blend painting with mediums such as video projection. She graduated from the University of Windsor's Bachelors of Fine Arts in Visual Arts program in 2023, and is currently a Masters of Fine Arts candidate at the University of Waterloo. Her paintings transform canvases into screens, and juxtapose a soft, dream-like style evoking foggy memories with an expressive, detailed technique capturing vivid memories and the associated emotions. Her work navigates multiple themes, including her complex relationship with Lebanese and Syrian heritage amidst a Canadian upbringing, family dynamics, and childhood nostalgia. Drawing inspiration from family photos and home movies, she integrates nostalgic imagery and motifs from early 2000s technology, incorporating elements like television static and VHS fonts to evoke familiarity and warmth, particularly for those closest to her. Her paintings often resemble television screens, highlighting the irony of painting technology and adding depth to her narrative. Through her art, she delves into her parents' memories of their home countries, reflecting on cultural traditions that have shaped her identity. By immortalizing elements of her childhood surroundings, such as distinct patterns on furniture and curtains, she preserves memories that are otherwise slipping away. Her work serves as a catalyst for nostalgic conversations with family members, sparking waves of shared reminiscences and emotional connections. She frequently titles her paintings in Arabic, adding an aura of mystery and inviting viewers to engage more deeply with the work before unraveling its meaning. In this way, she balances openness with introspection, inviting viewers into her world while leaving room for interpretation and personal reflection.
