A likely progeny of contemporary Goth art and pop-surrealism, Sara Abdu’s style is a melancholic gracing of the tryst with emotional battles of the humankind. Having participated in a couple of exhibitions since 2008, Abdu’s major breakthrough was with the “Young Saudi Artists” exhibition at Athr gallery in Jeddah early this year.

Only 18 years old, she started painting at an early age, moving to more courageous experimentation in high school. “I concentrate on the small details in a realistic way, and then I put them in a surreal way,” she revealed.

Abdu inaudibly confessed that people’s first impressions upon seeing her sketches are of shock and unsettling squirms and wriggles. Yet, her work remains entirely in the appreciation of the dark elements of human moods and sentiments just as they exist and appear.

She believes people may have difficulty in understanding it because they may not spend much time exploring those ideas. “Once, I showed my artwork to a 10-year-old girl, and she started crying,” she said laughing.

She enthusiastically spoke of her musical influences and her love for alternative rock music and documentaries that delve into present day existential ideologies. “Music motivates me in life. It is a source of inspiration for me. You get into the mood and the ideas come out just like that. Music is a part of us. We like to listen to beautiful things to get inspired,” she said.

The presence of abstract meanderings with a focus on psychological examinations and ideas in her illustrations allows the viewers to delve into the depth of her intended messages with cleverly indicated directions.

She explores temperaments that are introspective, brooding, gloomy and revealing. Some of the very seemingly apparent elements in her work remain the strong reproduction of details in facial expressions, anatomical depictions, fantasy figures and a subtle evocation of eroticism.

“Why are we hiding behind these things and not showing them in paintings?” she asked. “When I draw these things or express these feelings in my paintings, I can face my fears and create a conversation between the viewer and me,” she explained.

Abdu plans on pursuing a fine arts degree in Italy and continuing in the path of “shady” illustrations.

“I’m enjoying my art and that’s the most important thing. I want to stay in this bubble,” she said.