Naomi Samara
“I paint as a means of reflecting on small, overlooked moments that carry untold narratives of connection and belonging. The architecture and intimate surroundings of Rumah Hujan, with occupants like the big banyan tree, the wild jasmine gate, and the cat (to name a few) offered a much-needed immersion into imagined liminal spaces with stories to tell.”
- Naomi Samara
All photography by Martino Wayan
Naomi Samara is a visual artist hailing from Bali, Indonesia, who explores the themes of connectedness and belonging in her artwork. Her multicultural background has prompted her to question the meaning of being a part of conflicting realities within established narratives. By using painting and drawing as her medium, she aims to capture the essence of the human experience and our connection to other living beings in the spaces we share. Samara’s work is characterized by dream-like scenes that fuse small lived moments of connection or solitude with stories and fairytales from her childhood, providing a window into her personal and artistic journey.
Naomi Samara’s natural pigment ink pieces embody a sense of spontaneity, standing in contrast to the meticulous planning that defines her larger oil paintings, which can take weeks of preparation. In her natural pigment ink paintings, she works without prior references, moving fluidly between multiple works at once. With each brushstroke, she systematically carries gestures from one paper to the next, creating an organic rhythm that reflects her intuitive and layered process.
