Inspired by the women of Somalia, Ubax holds a quiet but profound tension between surface and history, between visible beauty and unseen suffering. She is soft and she is resilient, and the painting refuses to separate the two. Named after the Somali word for “flower,” this work is an act of honoring — dedicated to the women and girls who have endured profound pain and subjugation, from FGM to forced marriage and other forms of control visited upon their bodies and lives. The bark beneath her is not incidental; it is chosen. It roots her. It says she was here, she persisted, and she is worth remembering.
This work is created on natural tree bark with live edges, intentionally preserved to evoke the feeling of an heirloom—an object shaped by time, carrying history, memory, and permanence beyond the image itself.
(Oil on live tree bark - walnut basswood)
All paintings are signed, and include a Certificate of Authenticity.
Ubax
Due to the singular nature of each work, all acquisitions are considered final. If you have questions prior to purchasing, I welcome the conversation and invite you to reach out.