Brazilian-born and New York-based, Gabriela Bornstein is a mixed media artist whose work deeply engages with themes of identity, heritage, and human connection. Her artistic practice bridges the personal and collective histories of her life in New York and her roots in Brazil, allowing her to explore the complexities of ancestry, cultural diversity, and shared humanity. Gabriela’s work has evolved to focus on figurative painting, mixed media collage, and portraiture, creating art that reflects both her surroundings and inner world.

During the pandemic, Gabriela embarked on a profound journey of self-discovery, leading her to explore her imagined ancestral heritage. This exploration culminated in the Tropical Surrealism series, which draws inspiration from Brazil’s rich and complex history. Grounded in her own mixed heritage—Indigenous, Black, and White—confirmed through family research and a DNA test, Gabriela creates vibrant, surreal scenes that blend memory, history, and imagination. These works celebrate Brazil’s Afro-Indigenous culture and tropical landscapes while addressing the lasting impact of colonization. Through this series, Gabriela not only honors her ancestors but also advocates for social and environmental justice, using her art to elevate the voices of marginalized communities and honor the resilience of Mother Nature.

Her artistic exploration of heritage continues in the Generation Series, which reflects on themes of motherhood and lineage. After the passing of her mother, Gabriela set out to recover family photographs and stories that had been lost, creating a tribute to the women who shaped her across generations. This series pays homage to the maternal figures in her life, acknowledging their influence on her education, socialization, and identity.

Gabriela’s deep interest in human connection also manifests in her long-standing passion for portraiture. Since 2008, she has been drawing portraits of strangers on the New York City subway, an ongoing project that has grown into the NYC Underground Portrait Series. For Gabriela, portraiture is an intimate act of seeing—capturing the essence of her subjects through careful observation of their colors, shapes, shadows, and expressions. Her portraits go beyond mere likeness, revealing the emotional and psychological depths of the individuals she draws. These portraits invite viewers to celebrate the diversity of humanity, especially in a world often marked by division and distraction.  Gabriela brings these subway encounters to life through silk screen and linoleum block printing, transforming her drawings into wearable art on tote bags, t-shirts, and textiles. This act of turning intimate moments into everyday objects spreads messages of empathy and connection, infusing the mundane with meaning. 

Gabriela’s  artistic practice is a continuous journey of exploration and connection, weaving together personal heritage, social consciousness, and a deep empathy for the human experience. Her work transcends the boundaries of medium and subject, moving fluidly between painting, mixed media, and portraiture to engage with themes of identity, memory, and cultural diversity. Whether she is reflecting on the history of Brazil’s Afro-Indigenous communities, honoring the lineage of women in her family, or capturing the essence of a stranger on a subway, Gabriela’s art is a testament to the power of observation and storytelling. By transforming intimate, personal moments into universal narratives, her practice not only elevates marginalized voices but also invites viewers to contemplate their own place within the broader tapestry of human relations.