Sanaa Gacenia

Hi, I’m Sanaa Abstrakt — a visual storyteller, photographer, and creative director with over 20 years of experience capturing life through a lens. My work is rooted in a deep desire to tell meaningful stories that honour presence, movement, and transformation. Whether I’m behind the camera at a live music festival, designing an immersive set, or documenting the sacred journey of birth, I aim to create imagery that speaks to the soul. My creative journey began with photography and has evolved into a multidisciplinary practice that weaves together sound design, set building, lighting and African spirituality. I’m currently exploring how these elements can offer healing in modern life, particularly through immersive exhibitions and sensory experiences. After the recent loss of my mother, I’ve begun a more introspective chapter in my work — one that reflects on grief, single motherhood, and mental wellness. Creativity has become my way of healing, and I use my art to connect with others on that same path. Much of my recent work focuses on the beauty and power of birthing mothers, especially Black women. I see birth as a deeply spiritual and transformative experience — a moment where women become portals between worlds. My aim is to honour that magic through photography and storytelling. Over the years, I’ve collaborated with a range of artists and brands, including Dr. Martens, Vice UK, Nova Twins, and Burna Boy (whose images I captured were published in Vogue Germany). I’ve also worked as a set designer and director on music videos and theatre productions, and continue to expand my skills through international collaborations. I’m currently working on a project called *Healing Through Creativity*, which will take me to South Africa and Japan, where I’ll be learning from African spiritual practitioners and performance artists, and exploring how sound and movement can create space for collective healing. Thank you for being here and sharing in my journey.