Born in 1973 in Al Hasakah, Syria, Sabhan Adam is a self taught artist whose sheer, unbridled talent earned him a spot amongst established contemporary artists. He mostly paints portraits of odd families and humanoid characters. The artist uses colors that are often in stark contrast: earth and charcoal tones for his backgrounds and for the skin, versus bright and shiny colors for the garments worn by his subjects. Sabhan Adam’s works are labeled as existential as they seem to deal with human emotions, highlighting the nakedness and discomfort of his subjects who are often found breaking the 4th wall. In the words of the artist himself: “The figures I paint have so many things in common with me – they look like me, they have the same head and the same Asian eyes as me. I draw myself with everything that exists inside – the sadness, the misery, the shocking things I have faced, the isolation, and the feeling of not belonging to this world."

Sabhan Adam has exhibited in solo, as well as collective exhibitions, in fairs and institutions worldwide, most importantly at the International Venice Biennale –Venice, and at the Institut du Monde Arabe – Paris.

“Bicycle” by Sabhan Adam is a sticking work. A bodiless head hangs on the same two-dimensional plane as an old-timey bicycle, which seemingly has blood on its hind tire. Everything about this piece prompts one to investigate: How come there is only a head hanging, and why is it hollow? What kind of suffering does it represent?