The Artist

Born in Monterey, California in 1990, Nada Abdelshahid is best known for her sculptures made from natural materials, discarded parts and other industrial detritus. Her mother and father immigrated to Monterey, California in 1989 from the Middle East with degrees in Fine Art and two young children in tow. As a first generation American-born, she learned early on the value of hard work, passion, and perseverance which shows through in her personal growth and the growth she sparks in others. She was raised in Fort Ord while her parents worked as military language instructors teaching Arabic at the Defense Language Institute. Growing up in this place and time free to explore the surrounding forest and abandoned military base were some of the most influential years in shaping the artist she is today. After her mother’s passing to cancer in 2006, she was reminded that memory is essential to identity and she gained a greater appreciation for honoring those who have paved the way before us.

 

Creating public art within my community has been shaped by my awareness of the social and economic inequalities present all around us. Presenting my work in non-traditional spaces that are accessible and encourage public participation allows me to connect with my community on a deeper level. My mission is to create a positive public experience that reflects and reveals our society while adding meaning to our evolving culture and our collective memory. I aim to generate empathy and creative awareness through the exploration of critical issues in a way that is both poetic and compelling. The idea of interactivity and making works that link narrative and the site through the process of transforming and preserving materials has always interested me.