About Me

Sami Shahin, a multi-disciplinary queer artist of Syrian/Palestinian heritage, intertwines his identity into art shaped by his Levantine Arab roots and the liberation movements of the Syrian and Palestinian people, woven with his queerness. One of his foremost motivations is the representation of SWANA cultures, particularly the queer SWANA community. 

Having studied Graphic Design at Emily Carr University and Animation at the Vancouver Institute of Media Arts, Sami now channels his creativity into Illustration, Graphic Design, Motion Graphics, Rug Design and Marketing. His vibrant, unconventional perspectives span various mediums, showcased notably in his 2022 debut children’s storybook, 'Sophie’s Story: I Have Cancer,' where he delicately addresses weighty subjects with an inviting aesthetic. 

Born in Damascus, Syria, Sami currently resides in Vancouver, Canada, on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples.