ABOUT
Jameel Haiat is a multidisciplinary artist and writer whose work is a visceral exploration of cultural identity, personal trauma, and the cycles of destruction and restoration. His practice is defined by a unique "deconstructive/reconstructive" process that turns physical materials into metaphors for emotional survival.
Haiat is the product of a rich yet complex intercultural background, born to a Pakistani father and a Mexican/American mother. He describes himself as a product of their angst, violence, love and attention and draws upon his childhood experiences as one of his creative influences.
He spent over 25 years in the themed entertainment industry, as a Sculptor, Art Director and Production Designer, working on large-scale interactive projects (domestically and internationally) which also helped to inspire his current focus on tactile, dimensional art.
Additionally, his work is deeply influenced by his personal journey as a cancer survivor. This experience of bodily trauma and ongoing recovery is a central pillar of his creative philosophy, fueling his interests in how we piece ourselves back together after being "broken".
Haiat's signature style exists at the intersection of sculpture, collage, and abstract painting. His process is intentionally physical and consist of two distinct phases or rituals -
Deconstruction - It is during this process that he starts to aggressively tear materials such as cardboard, paper and textiles. This act represents violence, pain, and the shattering of one's past or identity.
Reconstruction - During this phase, he then meticulously reassembles these fragments into complex, layered compositions which include the use of additional materials such as nails and mirrors. This represents healing agency, and the creation of something beautiful and new from remnants.
Besides his art, Haiat writes poetry and creative fiction and is the author of two poetry nooks, "Life Edited - Pain. Pleasure. Perspective." and "Cum Dumpster Fire". He now resides in Chiang Mai, Thailand with his creative wife Hilcia and their doggie daughter Tomi Yum.
