Today we’d like to introduce you to Sabrina Arezu
Hi Sabrina, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been on a creative journey since I was young, but not in the typical way of taking art classes or learning traditional techniques. Growing up, I was bullied a lot—pretty much from middle school all the way through high school—and art became my escape. It was the one place where I could be myself without judgment, and that was everything.
One moment that stands out is in middle school when my 7th-grade art teacher told me I could hang out in the art room during lunch or break time… I still remember those days so clearly because that’s when I first picked up a paintbrush, and for the first time, the world around me became silent.
After that, I started diving into all sorts of different forms of art. I moved beyond canvas painting and got into mixed media installations, where I combine my own graphic designs and photos. I also love creating video installations that mix my artwork with the poetry I write. Honestly, I’ve dipped my toes in nearly every art form I had the opportunity to!
So far, I’ve had two solo exhibitions (both in Los Angeles & Orange County), I’ve been part of some incredible collective shows, and participated in cultural events at state universities. I’m constantly motivated to see where the next venture will take me!
Over the last few years, poetry has become a big part of my work. A lot of the time, my poems come to me in Farsi, and then I translate them into English. Which adds a whole new beautiful layer to my creative process. My poetry has been at the heart of most of my art for the past seven years. I published my first poetry book, Letters from the Fire, in 2021—it’s a collection of my most personal and reflective work. Now I’m working on my second book, which is going to be a beautiful mix of Persian culture, modern society, my own notes, some new poetry, and, of course, more art. I’m beyond excited for this one—stay tuned!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like any freelance or creative path, especially with art (even though it’s not my primary income source currently), there’s always some level of unpredictability.
One thing I’ve always aimed for, though, is to be recognized and gain a voice by way of my work within my community… I wanted my art and poetry to reach a larger audience, not just for exposure, but so I could share the deeper messages behind them—like celebrating cultural heritage, appreciating the history behind where we come from, and even tackling societal issues. One of my biggest goals has always been to amplify advocacy through my work in the public space. But to be completely candid—it’s not exactly an easy thing to achieve, especially organically!
At the end of the day, whether you’re diving into a creative project or building a business, it all comes down to time and connections. Recognition doesn’t happen overnight; it’s about being patient, persistent, and talking to the right people at the right time. But the real magic happens when you learn to embrace your authenticity without censorship!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I touched on this earlier, but to put it simply—I do a little bit of everything when it comes to art. I enjoy using a variety of mediums—like acrylics, oils, pastels, charcoal. But I also work on installations where I start with my digital art, print it either on canvas or as a poster. I’ll then turn the print into a multimedia piece with either painting to add more depth and texture, Or with adding Persian calligraphy. I think that’s what makes my work “mine”; is the Persian flair or abstract elements that my work brings forward.
I find myself drawing components from Persian mythology characters or the alluring animals that are illustrated in the “Shahnameh”. A 10th century literature filled with beautiful poetry, complex characters, and moral lessons. Its impact on Persian culture, literature, and even the arts is immense- as it continues to be celebrated globally… As for me, I find lots of inspiration personally from these fruitful historic treasures.
All said and done, it truly is all about experimenting and finding ways to bring my ideas to life in different forms.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @sabrina.arezu
