We recently had the chance to connect with Maryam Abdullahi and have shared our conversation below.
Maryam, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think many people are quietly struggling with the feeling that they’re falling behind, measuring themselves against invisible timelines that society has drawn for us. There’s also a deep struggle with self-love: feeling worthy, capable, and confident enough to pursue what we truly desire. Right now, I believe a lot of us are also wrestling with motivation and energy, especially in light of the state of the world. With so many wars (Free Palestine and all the countries in war and instability) , tragedies, and lives lost, it’s impossible not to feel the weight of it all.
But I also believe that surviving is a form of resistance against the powers that try to silence us. Creating is a form of resistance. And self-love is a form of resistance, too. Practicing these, while also serving our communities in small but meaningful ways, is how we reclaim our power and remind ourselves that we are worthy-even in a world that feels chaotic.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Maryam Abdullahi, and I’m a multidisciplinary artist from the Houston area. I mostly create abstract works inspired by nature, deep emotional states, and life experiences. Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with local artists, taking courses at Art League Houston to grow my skills and network, volunteering with community organizations, and participating in the Bayou City Arts Festival in May with the Collegiate Art Collective. That festival was especially meaningful, it was my first time selling my work and an amazing chance to meet other young artists in the area.
I believe art can be a window into the psyche, a way to alchemize our experiences and tell our stories so they outlive us. Right now, I’m focused on creating new work, expanding my portfolio, pursuing artist opportunities, and connecting with galleries. My hope is to have my work in a gallery before the end of the year.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a free spirit, happy and existing to please myself. As children, we don’t yet carry the weight of societal expectations; we live in our most authentic state. Over time, whether through family, friends, or school, you start hearing the messages: stop daydreaming, settle down, focus, be a ‘functioning member of society.’
For me, being told I couldn’t live in that imaginative, idealized state was soul-crushing. As artists, we are thinkers and dreamers: we imagine better worlds and better futures. But I was pushed to use my analytical brain, to focus on math and science, even though my strengths were always in creativity and self-expression.
I lost myself for a long time, but recently I’ve been finding my way back. I’m working to reclaim that free-spirited, carefree energy I had as a child. The weird, unapologetic, and unpalatable parts of myself that don’t exist to please others. That’s the version of me I want to live as again.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
For a long time, I was consumed by my pain and suffering. I was sleepwalking through life, carrying past guilt and hurt, holding on to every time someone had ever wronged me. I hid it well, but it was consuming me daily. I wasn’t fully present with my loved ones, I couldn’t move forward, and I felt stagnant because of all the weight I was carrying.
The turning point came after a very explosive event about this time last year, when I had an eye-opening experience following a hospitalization for mental health reasons. It forced me to see my life and myself clearly. I realized that while I couldn’t control everything that had happened to me, I am the constant in my own life. I am the one steering the ship. That clarity made me understand that holding on to pain, grudges, fear of failure, fear of success, and perfectionism was only weighing me down.
From that moment, I began to release the weight I had been carrying. I forgave myself, acknowledged my role in my own suffering, and started using that pain as power rather than letting it consume me. I’m still human, and emotions ebb and flow. However, that realization propelled me to take control of my life and start becoming the person I want to be.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think people are getting it wrong when they assume there’s only one type of smart. There’s book smarts, street smarts, creative smarts, and emotional intelligence. There are countless ways to be intelligent. Society often prioritizes analytical skills, like math and STEM, while undervaluing creativity, empathy, and other talents. Many people who think differently or process the world in unique ways are often overlooked or misunderstood, even though their intelligence is just as valid. True intelligence isn’t just about facts or logic, it’s about understanding, creating, and connecting as well. It’s about being a well rounded individual, and in turn, a well-rounded society.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m painting. It’s just me, my canvas, and my paintbrush, and time seems to disappear. I often look up and realize three hours have gone by without me noticing. In those moments, my racing thoughts stop, and I can fully focus on expressing myself. It’s incredibly calming and healing. I feel very blessed to have been introduced to painting at a young age, because it’s something I truly couldn’t live without.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://maryamabdullahi.my.canva.site/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadgyP3ISGuoCAEruGUdB4ou6qp2BWkdVBms0ZgazEatl5bGSfz16rDr0EXCEg_aem_NhyogkcP9NiqUf0XtNZj7g
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryamsartspacee?igsh=eG9oY2p3cmMyaG1v
- Linkedin: Check out Maryam Abdullahi’s profile on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryam-abdullahi-878a6b263
- Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maryamsartspacee?_t=ZP-8ysTGTO5HqB&_r=1
Image Credits
Portrait- Teztal, Rice University
