Saema Nabeel

Grounded in spirit, rooted in the sky

​Saema Nabeel is an award-winning contemporary realist whose work explores the "pulse" of the urban nomad. Born in Pakistan and having lived across Africa, Europe, and Asia, Saema’s art is a visual record of a 30-year global journey. Now based in New York, she translates this pluralistic perspective into atmospheric oil paintings that bridge the gap between classical mastery and spiritual expression.

​A distinguished student of the Art Students League of New York, Saema was awarded the prestigious Blue Dot (the League’s second-highest honor) for her technical excellence. Her work, including the celebrated "Pink Peonies," has been recognized and featured by the Art Students League, marking her as a significant voice in modern representational art.

​Inspired by the light of Sorolla and the brushwork of Sargent, Saema’s current series, "Wild Seed," focuses on the symbolic power of the pigeon—the ultimate urban nomad—representing the resilience and interconnectedness of the human spirit.

The Art Students League of New York – Intensive study in Oil Painting and Portraiture.
​Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science – Pakistan.
​UI/UX & Graphic Design Certification, specialized in Adobe Creative Cloud

American Artist Professional League, Juried (AAPL)
​Grand National Exhibition, New York, NY. 2024.
​Selected Juried Exhibition –
​The Art Students League of New York
​Permanent Collection – Pink Peonies, New York, NY.
​Student Concours – Phyllis Harriman Mason Gallery, New York, NY.
​Annual Holiday Show & Sale – New York, NY.
​Other Notable Showings
​New York Pulse Series – Studio Exhibition, New York, NY (2026).
​Children of Chippewa Falls (2026)