Batoolio is a self-taught Palestinian-Canadian artist, based in Windsor. She is the 2023 recipient of the City of Windsor’s Arts, Culture and Heritage Fund grant. Batoolio is a multi-media, interdisciplinary artist who uses art to communicate abstract feelings that words cannot, resulting in vibrant and layered pieces of work, often described as "what dreams look like". She draws inspiration from Frida Kahlo, Vincent van Gogh, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Keith Haring. Her work has been shown in group and solo exhibitions at Phog Lounge and Artcite Inc., and can also be seen on Spotify, as cover art for Windsor-based musicians Dagobah Green, Dig Samples, and NOTROMEO. She has been commissioned to create a logo for Designs by Sav and has recently developed a sticker for CJAM 99.1 FM's 2023 Charity Drive. Batoolio is involved with her local art community and invites folks to drop by Artcite during her residency, to chat with her about art, politics, religion, and "all the things they tell us not to have casual conversation about."
“My work challenges unnecessary judgments on womens' bodies and often features women in their nude form. This reflects my own experience of constantly being sexualized, denying me the chance to exist in my own body without scrutiny. Through my art, I portray both the women and the judgmental characters, representing my life and the emotions tied to it. Religion is another theme I explore, using abstract street-style art to convey the message that we take it too seriously. This is a direct response to my religious upbringing, where every action was scrutinized in the context of God's perception. Street-style art, known for its rebellious nature, influences my work by defying societal norms. Adding texture to my paintings is crucial to my storytelling process. I incorporate mediums such as charcoal, chalk, pastels, and watercolors, attaching them to my canvases. This chaotic approach contributes to the overall narrative of living within the mind of someone traumatized from a young age, due to factors beyond their control, such as being sexualized or forced into religion. Ultimately, my art conveys the idea that no matter how aesthetically pleasing a woman may appear or how she presents herself, she is consistently subjected to judgment. She is denied the opportunity to live without scrutiny, regardless of her efforts.”