Jameel Haiat

Jameel Haiat is a Poet, Artist and Writer and was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He worked as an Art Director, Sculptor and Production Designer within the themed entertainment industry for more than twenty-five years before realizing the need to liberate himself from the corporate constraints of that imaginary world. Once he set himself free, with support from his loving wife and creative partner Hilcia, he re-found his own artistic voice in the form of writing, painting and making.

Drawing from his own personal experiences, Haiat has focused much of his creative energy, and work, on addressing the emotional impact of trauma and pain and the place these have on the human condition through abuse, war, migration and poverty.

Additionally, both his writing and art are deeply influenced by his profoundly personal journey as a cancer survivor and his daily challenges with permanent, life impacting issues from his treatment. This experience of bodily trauma and ongoing recovery is a central pillar of his creative philosophy, fueling his interests in how we piece ourselves back together after being "broken".

He now lives his best creative life in the magical and beautiful Doi Saket region of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Nestled against the mountains, within the vibrant green forest of Northern Thailand, he resides in a version of paradise he never knew existed and never knew was missing from his life. It is a million miles away and a world apart from his childhood home, and one that he writes lovingly, and philosophically, about often.

He is the Author of two previously published poetry books, "Life Edited - Pain. Pleasure. Perspective." and "Cum Dumpster Fire", and is currently working on his next poetry book which is a poetic journal of his cancer journey.

He and Hilcia live with their beautiful doggie daughter, Lil' Tomi Yum.