NABILA AVIANI

My artistic practice is deeply rooted in my experiences with mental health, identity, and the complexities of self-perception. Born in Indonesia, raised in the United Arab Emirates and now based in the Netherlands, my multicultural upbringing has profoundly shaped my understanding of identity as fluid and ever-evolving. These diverse cultural influences fuel my exploration of psychological and emotional depth, particularly through my lived experiences with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder. 

I use my paintings as visual diaries, capturing the intense highs of mania, the depths of depression, and the emotional turbulence in between. My process is intuitive, embracing distortion, fragmentation, and bold brushwork to give form to the raw, unspoken emotions that often go unseen. I believe in the power of ‘reveal, not conceal,’ creating space for vulnerability and authenticity as I release repressed thoughts and feelings through the paint. 

My work challenges binary views of identity, rejecting simple definitions in favour of the grey areas—the contradictions and complexities that define us. I interrogate the intersections of identity, mental health, and societal taboos, aiming to destigmatise mental illness and offer a space where the uncomfortable can be confronted. Feminine rage, resilience, and the yearning for connection are key themes in my work, celebrating humanity’s fragility and strength. Ultimately, I hope my art fosters a discourse that normalises conversations about mental health, inviting viewers to embrace vulnerability and the beauty in imperfection. 

Through my paintings, I strive to create space for introspection and connection, where others can find resonance and the courage to express their own authentic selves.