About me
Hi, I’m Emma Chaaban!
Art is how I express my thoughts;
it gives me agency in a world where words cannot always do so.
I’m a multidisciplinary artist driven by intuition, nature, and mythology—especially Eastern European folklore. Art has always been more than just expression for me; it’s a necessity, a way of processing the world when words fall short. My work often explores the cycle of death and rebirth, finding beauty in decay and transformation. The simple magic of the natural world is thus also close to my mind and art, which often draws on my observations of the forest and the ocean.
I love working with natural materials like moss, clay, bark, and with plant-based dyes passed down through family traditions, but I am also drawn to fabric, glass, wood, and metal. My creative process is both contemplative and intuitive: ideas may simmer for weeks or even years, yet when they surface, they move almost directly from my mind into execution, guided by instinct rather than rigid planning.
I tend to blend techniques and media, from carving and sewing to painting and sculpting, allowing each piece to evolve organically. I create immersive, tactile experiences that invite viewers to slow down, explore hidden worlds, and reconnect with their sense of wonder.
Bio
I am a Montreal-based artist of Polish and Lebanese heritage. Although I live downtown, my practice is deeply shaped by time spent in the countryside with my close-knit, multi-generational family and through my long-standing involvement in Polish scouting. These environments have grounded me in intergenerational knowledge, resourcefulness, and a sustained relationship with the natural world.
My way of seeing has been informed by a wide range of experiences—from early first-hand encounters with death to extensive travel and exposure to extreme natural environments such as the Galápagos, the Canadian wilderness, and parts of Africa. Moving between landscapes, cultures, and social realities has given me a strong sensitivity to contrast and continuity. Resilience, transformation, and an understanding of life as a continuum are central to both my upbringing and my work. I am often described as having an “old soul,” a quality that resonates with my reflective yet curious approach to making.
In 2024, I completed the Visual Arts program at Dawson College and participated in Expo 24: Visions Unveiled. That same year, I attended a masterclass in glassblowing under the tutelage of glassmaster Luca Vidal at the Venier Glass Factory in Murano, where I produced glass iterations of my Beta Fish sculpture, originally executed in metal.
In 2025 and 2026, I decided to take a step back in order to rest, travel, recalibrate, and make space for sustained research and exploration. Outside the studio, I sing, tinker with found objects, spend time in nature, listen to audiobooks, watch anime, design costumes, and experiment with special effects/theatre make-up. I also research, collect, and restore vintage clothing and hats—activities that reflect my ongoing interest in material histories, care, and continuity.