2026.04    
Cairo, EG

Mixed Media on paper
50cmx65cm | 19.6" x 25.6"

Following in the footsteps of IMMIGRANT BLUES (a series of self-portraits produced by the artist during his long stretch abroad), RETURNEE BLUES #1 is the first in a series of self-portraits that see the artist contend with his return to his hometown of Cairo, Egypt. In the case of this particular piece, the artist seems to be in distress over his countrymen's relationship with time.

The nature of this relationship with time is underpinned by the sheet of papyrus depicting an assortment of clocks in grid formation, the sheet torn, shredded, and evidently disintegrating.

Hovering above the artist’s head, a bilingual thought balloon reads: “يا ربي ("Oh god"), when will my countrymen ever know قيمة الوقت” (“…the value of time”). The code-switching--moving seamlessly between English and Arabic--provides a clue to one of the sources of both the artist's struggle: culturally split, linguistically hybrid, and unable to fully inhabit either side without dragging the other along with it.

Faintly behind and under the thought balloon, the remnants of an old Arabic proverb can be made out along the torn edge of the papyrus: “الوقت كالسيف، إن لم تقطعه…” (“Time is like a sword; if you do not cut with it, it will cut you”), highlighting that the notion that valuing time isn't historically foreign to the culture, or perhaps at the very least shouldn't be.

2024.10    
Houston, TX

Mixed Media on paper
8.5”x12” closed, 34.5”x12” open

The second Mailbox Project initiated by Dongola Limited Editions out of Beirut Lebanon, whereby handmade accordion books were mailed to a selection of artists to fill in response to the ongoing genocide in Gaza, to “shed light on this dark moment of our contemporary history” as Dongola co-founder Abed Al Kadiri suscintly puts it. The project was initiated in February 2024, months before anyone knew that Beirut would as well be subject to unspeakable violence, before bombardments could be viewed right outside the windows of Dongola’s office space.

A reproduction of the work is due to be included in a consolidated publication/catalogue from Dongola, but the original artist-book can be acquired from Garage.Ganzeer.

2024.09    
Houston, TX

Mixed Media on paper
13”x17”

This portrait of Cornel West was created using a layered mix of acrylic, ink, charcoal, watercolor, pastel chalks, and minimal collage, emphasizing tactility and a hands-on, human presence. Deliberately resisting slickness or polish, the work stands in contrast to the cold, corporate veneer and the frictionless aesthetics often associated with digital production. Its material roughness and visible touch foreground a sense of humanity befitting a figure widely regarded for his ethical and moral clarity. The portrait was later adapted into an unofficial poster design in support of West’s presidential candidacy and made available as a free high-resolution download.

2024.09    
Houston, TX

Mixed Media on paper
8”x10.5”

Inspired by a reading of Bob Dylan’s autobiography, CHONICLES, VOLUME 1, this mixed media illustration combining the many faces of Dylan into one was created to accompany a review I did of the book for Ganzeer.Reviews.

2024.05    
Houston, TX

Mixed Media on paper
22”x15”

The only reclining nude that makes sense in these exceedingly dark times.