Rashwan Abdelbaki

Lives and works in New York, USA

Artist statement

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. “I’m here!” is a proposed series of screen printing. In the series I repeat the character called “One Open Eye, One Closed Eye” to tell the story of my immigration in the...

Artwork