Tony Khawam

My artistic journey is a profound exploration of a certain formal elements, such as line, shape, and color combining art-historical, cultural, tribal arts and personal references to create work that is characterized by a vivid interplay between the composed and considered, on the one hand, and the spontaneous and instinctive, on the other. As an artist of Syrian descent, I am inspired by a blend of personal and historical narratives, exploring themes of heritage, identity, memory, and transient moments of thought. My work delves into the cross-cultural dynamics within communities, striving for better cultural understanding and bridge-building. Developed over time through a deliberate process of shape and color accumulation and adaptation. My recent works are marked by an unassuming yet assertive sense of compositional balance whereby the interrelation of individual parts–such as patterns, shapes of color, stipples of paint, lines, patches that at times outline shapes and forms and at others float freely and participates in a global artistic conversation while maintaining a distinct voice.

The canvases are democratic spaces devoid of illusion or perspective, where anything can be depicted and delves into the cross-cultural dynamics within communities, striving for better cultural understanding and bridge-building. My work is a vivid journey through my life and the world around me as an immigrant and an American. I adeptly integrate these elements into my daily artistic practices, reflecting the evolving currents of American culture, an exploration of the ongoing development of my new American identity.