Meet Samar Hussaini

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Samar Hussaini. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Samar below.

Hi Samar, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience comes from my roots—my family, my culture, and the stories of my ancestors that have been passed down through generations. Growing up as a Palestinian American, I experienced the richness of my cultural identity as well as the discrimination it often faces. These experiences have taught me the importance of staying true to who you are, no matter the challenges.

I come from a family that has always valued advocacy, knowledge, and cultural pride. They instilled in me a deep love for who we are and where we come from. Their strength and resilience have always been a source of inspiration for me. I think about my grandmother and mother, who took immense pride in passing on our heritage and instilling a deep love for our culture. My father’s advocacy for Palestinian self-determination and my grandfather’s legacy as a renowned scholar inspire me daily. Their collective strength and dedication to preserving and honoring who we are continue to guide me.

I find my resilience through these connections, this rich history, and the lessons of my family. Despite adversity, they remind me of the power in our stories, our traditions, and the fight for a future rooted in pride and hope.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My work as an artist is deeply personal and rooted in my Palestinian American identity. I see my art as a bridge between heritage and contemporary expression, a way to preserve and reimagine the stories and traditions of the Palestinian people. What drives me is this sense of responsibility to honor our past, celebrating the richness of our culture and history, while creating something new that speaks to the present and future.

One of the things I find most exciting about my work is how I reinterpret traditional Palestinian motifs like tatreez in a modern context. I use free-hand machine embroidery on water-soluble fabric to re-create intricate tatreez designs. To me, this process is symbolic—when the fabric dissolves, the embroidery remains, representing the resilience of identity even when everything else is stripped away. I stitch the embroidery onto multimedia works that are abstracted layers of acrylic, ink, gold leaf, and image transfers, creating pieces that tell a story of perseverance, beauty, and cultural pride.

Another area I’m passionate about is my sculptural dresses, which are reinterpretations of the traditional Palestinian thobe, a traditional dress worn by Palestinian women. These 3D sculptural canvas designs combine painting, sewing, and layering to create powerful symbolic pieces. They represent the strength, resilience, and stories of Palestinian women, connecting the cultural and historical significance of the thobe to modern artistic expression. The dresses, though not wearable, stand as embodiments of identity, heritage, and the unbroken connection between past and present. Each dress holds a narrative, speaking to the journey of Palestinian women and the layers of culture that shape us.

In my abstract art, I focus on creating layered works that invite people to come closer, drawing them in to discover the intricate details and the depth of the story within. These layers reveal beauty, resilience, and a positive narrative of Palestinian culture, encouraging viewers to engage on a deeper level and connect with the themes of identity and heritage. I believe art has the power to challenge perceptions, break stereotypes, and create meaningful conversations that bring us closer together.

My work also extends into sharing; through tatreez workshops like “Tatreez Together,” I aim to emphasize the importance of cultural preservation and community. I also partner in Palestinian food tours in Paterson, NJ, offering a unique way to share the cultural and culinary richness of the community. It’s not just about the art or the food—it’s about connecting with others and inspiring them to celebrate their own stories and traditions.

Ultimately, I want my art to spark a deeper understanding of Palestinian culture and resilience. I hope to inspire people to see the beauty and strength in our traditions and to appreciate the universal themes of identity, love, and perseverance. Looking ahead, I dream of further expanding the reach of my work globally, seeing it displayed in prestigious collections and museums, and persistently creating pieces that celebrate the positive narrative of Palestine and Palestinian women. For me, art isn’t just about what you see—it’s also about what you feel. It’s about telling stories that connect us to something greater than ourselves, stories that remind us of the strength, resilience, and beauty we all carry within.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, I’d say there are three qualities or skills that really shaped my journey: resilience, curiosity, and a deep connection to my roots. Each one played such a big role in getting me to where I am today.

Resilience was huge. There were moments when I doubted if my voice would be heard or if my work would resonate. You know, especially when your art is rooted in something as personal as culture and identity, it can feel vulnerable to put that out into the world. But perseverance taught me to stay true to myself, even when things felt uncertain. So if I were to give advice, I’d say: don’t shy away from challenges. Those tough moments? They’re where you grow the most.

Then there’s curiosity—that’s what keeps everything fresh for me. I’m always asking, “What’s next? What can I learn from this?” Whether it’s diving into the history of Palestinian tatreez or experimenting with new materials, curiosity keeps me evolving. If you’re just starting out, I’d say to follow that sense of wonder. Explore everything—your craft, your story, the world around you. You never know what’s going to spark something amazing.

And lastly, connection to my roots is everything. It’s the foundation of my work. My family’s stories, our traditions, the strength of our community—those are my inspiration. Without that connection, I don’t think my art would have the same depth or meaning. For anyone starting out, I’d say: take the time to explore what matters most to you, what grounds you. When you create from that place of authenticity, people can feel it—it’s powerful.

Oh, and one more thing: be patient. Finding your voice takes time, and that’s okay. Surround yourself with people who inspire you, keep learning, and always come back to why you started. When you create with purpose, everything else falls into place.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I try to pause and reconnect with what grounds me. For me, that’s my art and my roots. Sometimes it’s as simple as sitting down with my sewing machine or working on a piece that feels deeply personal—it helps me refocus and process what’s going on. Other times, I step back completely and let myself breathe. That might mean going for a walk, spending time with my family, or even just making a cup of tea and letting my mind rest.

One thing I’ve learned is that it’s okay to not have all the answers in the moment. The feeling of being overwhelmed often comes from trying to take on too much at once, so breaking things down into smaller, manageable steps really helps. I also remind myself of the bigger picture—why I’m doing what I’m doing. That perspective can be really grounding.

If I had to give advice, I’d say: don’t be afraid to pause and listen to yourself. Take time to do something that brings you peace, even if it feels small. Sometimes stepping away for a moment is exactly what you need to come back stronger. Above all, be kind to yourself—being overwhelmed is temporary, but how you take care of yourself through it makes all the difference.

Thank you for this interview and your interest in my work—it makes a difference. Please take a moment to follow me on Instagram @samardesignsandart and visit my website www.samardesigns.com to see what I have going on!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.samardesigs.com
• Instagram: @samardesignsandart
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@samardesignsandart