What I Hear

Ozone Park, New York, for the most part is a quite and peaceful area. At least my neighborhood is. Its feels nice to walk alone without any distractions and just listen to the sounds the atmosphere has to offer. The only train in 80th street/ Hudson Street is the A, which runs above ground. Although it is rated as one of the worst trains, its thundering roars never fail to catch me by surprise when least expected. It’s defiantly something one gets used to and learns to ignore after living in the area for a while but never the less it can creep up on you. With this bipolar extended winter weather, the whistling of the wind seems to play its own melody sometimes in harmony with flocking of wings of random birds. The familiar sound of passing cars becomes more apparent; it’s as if the cars are racing against time or perhaps even me, as I was able to hear my own footsteps. The rustling of grocery bags as a couple getting out of Associated chit chatted the short distance to their car before opening the trunk to create more buzz as they handled the bags. The occasional catcalls coming from a group of men sitting in front of a barbershop comes as a wake up call, pulling my drifted mind back into reality. These men have always made me wonder what is it that they actually do; I always see them sitting out there during the day regardless of the weather. To end it all was the fumbling of keys as I struggled to take them out of my pocket and put it in the doorknob only to find the door was already open.

Define a Space- WhAt dO YoU sEe??

define a space from Nafi Shabnam on Vimeo.

Artist Statement

Everyone is a bit weird in their own ways. Me... Well I'm trying to get into medical school with a degree in media studies. These are two completely different paths that don't cross over at any intersection. The goal of becoming a doctor was set long ago in 3rd grade when I stumbled upon a book about the human body. Getting a bachelors in media studies was more of a recent choice. Media represents who the common man isn't yet wants to be.


Media is a from of entertainment made to appeal it’s audience and it does so by portraying almost romanticized character who do suffer through the ups and downs of live but still manage victory at the end. This is something that we all want for ourselves but in reality it doesn’t necessary have to work that way. We don't always have to be or act as we see people portrayed in the different mediums.


Analyzing media can set the mood at a coffee table but I'm more interested in observing certain things and depicting my perspective on it in any form of presentation. This blog will include short videos, collages, posters or any such art forms that may seem random but will be linked in some way or another. I want my work to not only appeal to the real common man but also help them identify with others who may be going through the same issues.


It never hurts to dream. Dreams gives us a goal, set goals help us discover new pathways, which provides us with hope. The world runs on hope.