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Current Work By Bassim Al-Shaker Opens June 6th
The 720 Gallery is pleased to announce its latest show featuring artist Bassim Al-Shaker from Baghdad, Iraq. Bassim was born in Baghdad in 1986 and has garnered top awards in painting in the Middle East. His work has been exhibited internationally and is in public, private and museum collections.
Bassim Al-Shaker was among the youngest instructors at the University of Baghdad where he taught painting. His work was featured in 2013 in the Iraqi Pavilion during the 55th International Venice Biennale. He was an invited Artist–in-Residence with the ASU Art Museum in 2013 and 2014 and became a legal permanent resident of the United States in 2014.
“Bassim is an extraordinarily talented artist, ” said Gordon Knox, ASU Art Museum director. “His artwork was on view in the Venice Biennale, one of the most prestigious international exhibitions in the world. And now, through the ASU residency program, we are able to offer ASU students and the community an opportunity to interact with and learn from this dynamic young painter.”
Al-Shaker paints in both a hyperrealist manner and a more expressive, gestural style. Says gallery owner Nancy Hill, “I’ve become a fan of Bassim’s work and it’s exciting to be able to share his art and vision here in downtown Phoenix.”
He has been featured in the New York Times and his artwork has appeared in leading art journals including ArtForum, Art in America and the Guardian. Bassim Al-Shaker has been commissioned to paint portraits of royalty, elected officials and other prominent individuals.
The opening reception for Current Work by Bassim Al-Shaker will be held on First Friday, June 6th from 6PM to 9PM. There will also be a 3rd Friday reception on June 20th from 6PM to 9PM. After the June First Friday event, the show can be seen by appointment through August 31st.
720 Gallery is located at 720 N. 4th Street, Phoenix, AZ. For more information, visit http://cargocollective.com/bassimalshaker/About-Bassim-Al-Shaker or call 602-318-4362 for an appointment.
The ASU Art Museum International Artist Residency at Combine Studios is located in downtown Phoenix, at 821 N. Third St. For additional information please call the ASU Art Museum at 480.965.2787
