Hi, I’m Abi, the artist behind @unapologeticbanana. I am also an architect, and even though my architecture work relies deeply on understanding context, I love isolating imagery in my art and seeing what happens when objects and bodies are taken out of their original environment. Are they still themselves, or just parts of an unknown whole? This website is dedicated to my collage work, though my practice also includes drawing and writing. Many of the pieces here explore themes of isolation, memories, and bodies. This work is also a forever ode to colors.

photo by Rachel Larsen Weaver

More work stuff: I am licensed in DC and practice architecture at HGA. I have worked on a variety of project types including performing arts centers, office buildings, higher education arts facilities, and memorials. One project that is immensely important to me that I encourage you to visit is The Contemplative Site at Monticello. Occasionally I teach, which I love doing. My last course was on architectural spatial representation at the Corcoran School of Art and Design. Back in 2010, I answered a craigslist ad: a bakery needed posters for St. Patrick’s day. I sent a few early collages in response, and I’ve been a freelance graphic designer ever since. For many years I worked for Firehook developing their brand for the cafe locations and their crackers (the Rosemary Sea Salt is my favorite flavor.) My latest design work is the album art for The North Country Music. Check them out, they put on an amazing live show. Though I take fewer gigs now, I still love making graphics for delicious baked goods and good music.

More personal stuff: I was born in Tirana, Albania in the summer of 1987. I grew up surrounded by mountains, political turmoil, anime dubbed in italian, and really good food. Most summers I’d be in a little village by the Ionian with my grandmother, which was as beautiful as it was lonely. My family immigrated to the US when I was in 10th grade. I’ve been told I loved drawing before my earliest memories can attest to it. And only yellowed pages remain of my first future house design: a three story dwelling with a floor for each generation. Now I work mostly digitally, maybe an artifact of coming of age with the internet. My iPhone camera reel and occasional found imagery have been my main sources for images. Since February 2020, I’ve collaborated with the wonderful Rachel Larsen Weaver on a series of portraits that have made themselves on my digital collage chopping block. For the past decade, I’ve been reconstructing memories and my own identity through imagery, playing with the language of color, geometry, and symbols.


collage with photo by Yan Palmer