Annette Handal Art
About the Artist
Annette Handal was born in 1998 in San Salvador, El Salvador, where she grew up and cultivated her passion for art. She specialized in the visual arts through the International Baccalaureate program and later pursued a bachelor’s degree in International Relations. Despite her academic path, Annette never strayed far from her artistic roots, continuing to create and sell commissioned works.
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A transformative shift in her art occurred when she discovered surfing during her university years. The ocean’s rhythm and the meditative nature of the sport deeply influenced her creative expression, infusing her work with new energy and perspective.
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Annette has displayed her art in numerous exhibitions, gaining recognition both nationally and internationally. Her work has also played a meaningful role in mental health initiatives, where she utilizes art as a tool for healing and self-expression.
Surfed Here: The Journey is a monochromatic visual tale created in 2023 by Salvadoran artist Annette Handal, using ink on cardboard, and first exhibited in 2024. Inspired by El Salvador’s natural beauty, the artwork narrates the transformation of a surfer who abandons urban life to embrace the soulful challenge of surfing. This journey delves into themes of freedom, growth, and the profound connection between nature and the self.
New: Surfed Here: Book-Journal
Surfed Here: The Journey is the first book in Annette Handal’s art collection — a blend of illustration, storytelling, and personal reflection.
​​Designed as both a visual narrative and reflective journal, it includes space for writing, drawing, and guided prompts. More than a book, it’s an experience — inviting readers to shape the journey as their own. A second volume will continue this evolving story.
Qatar 2025
Surfed Here: The Journey is now on display at Katara Cultural Village in Doha, Qatar. This exhibition highlights the universal power of art to transcend borders, using surfing as a profound symbol of personal and collective journeys. Through its storytelling, Surfed Here resonates with diverse audiences, illustrating how the pursuit of passion and self-discovery connects us all.
Surfed Here at the Latin America and the Caribbean Cultural Festival – Qatar 2025
Proud to announce that Surfed Here is being exhibited at the Latin America and the Caribbean Cultural Festival, hosted by The Cultural Village Foundation – Katara in Doha, Qatar.
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This international event celebrates the rich diversity, creativity, and spirit of Latin America and the Caribbean, and we are honoured to have Surfed Here represent the soulful journey of surfing and the essence of El Salvador on this global stage.