Biography:
Rashwan Abdelbaki is a visual artist based in NYC. He specializes in painting and printmaking. He graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Damascus in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in printmaking. He has received numerous fellowships and awards including from the Artist Protection Fund, American Academy in Rome, Vermont Studio Center, The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts and Westbeth. His work has been shown internationally including at the Queens Museum, Equity Gallery, Art Expo NY, George Mason University, and Montoro12 Contemporary Art Gallery, Rome. His artworks exist in Syria, Lebanon, UAE, Germany, France, South Korea, London, Rome, New York, Virginia, North Carolina, Washington DC.
He is a United Scenic Artists Local USA 829 Member. He is known for his work in TV shows like American Horror Story-Thriller S3 2023, SEVERANCE S2 2023, DR. DEATH S2 2023, EVIL S4 2022-2023, THE MANIFEST S4 2022, FALLOUT HONDO 2022, RE-TREAT 2022, The EQUALIZER S1-S2 2020-2021, SEVERANCE S1 2021, HELPSTARS S2 2021, SEARCH PARTY S4 2021 and MASTER CLASS. And movies like THE PERFECT FIND 2021, PAST LIVES 2021, MEATY 2021, EILEEN 2022 and SHELTER “pilot” 2021.
Artist Statement:
From the moment we are born, everything around us begins to build fears within us. From the fear of darkness and the unknown or heights, to fears imposed by family, religion or politics, fear of the other or the different by skin color, religion, political orientation or gender. We spend time feeding these fears, and our surroundings contribute to its deepening. Until that moment comes of awakening and a desire to explore, a desire to defeat these fears.
I came up with portrait called one eye open, one eye closed to express us in this time that doesn’t allow us to close our eyes and sleep in peace, we need to keep one eye open to stay aware to what is happening around us. My work explores some of the most pressing issues of our time including fear mongering, immigration, discrimination, racism, religion, politics, stereotypes and perceptions, with vivid colors and dynamic interactions creating an ongoing conversation. Sometimes I paint these people with striped garments in empty cells and domestic settings like prisoners of their own beliefs. In some works I have been focused on the face, the open eye, and physical lines that represent our abilities and freedom. In these works, there is a clear, physical line above the human who looks like he is drowning but still holding on to hope.