Youssef Abdelke

In a Few Words

Born in: Qamishli, Syria

Lives in: Damascus, Syria

Background: A celebrated artist who studied at Damascus University and later in Paris, where he lived in exile for over two decades due to political persecution before returning to Syria in 2005.

Style & Media: Abdelke is known for his hyper-realistic charcoal drawings, etchings, and engravings on copper and zinc, often employing a monochromatic palette to emphasize stark contrasts and depth.

Themes: Abdelke’s work explores themes of conflict, oppression, and mortality, frequently juxtaposing everyday objects with symbols of violence, death, and political turmoil to reflect on Syria’s sociopolitical struggles.

In a Few More Words

Youssef Abdelke, born in 1951 in Qamishli, Syria, is a distinguished visual artist renowned for his evocative drawings and printmaking. He graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Damascus University in 1976. Due to his political activism, Abdelke was imprisoned for nearly two years in the late 1970s. Following his release, Abdelke moved to France in 1981, where he continued his studies, earning a diploma from the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in 1986 and a Ph.D. in Fine Arts from Paris XIII in 1989. After 25 years in exile, he returned to Syria in 2005.

Abdelke's artistic oeuvre encompasses a range of techniques, including engraving on copper and zinc plates, as well as charcoal and pastel drawings. His work often delves into themes of conflict, injustice, and oppression, serving as a poignant commentary on the human condition. Notably, his still-life compositions juxtapose everyday objects with elements symbolizing violence, such as skulls, knives, and ropes, reflecting the turmoil experienced in his homeland.

Abdelke’s artworks are held in prestigious institutions worldwide, including the British Museum in London, the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, the National Museum of Kuwait, and the Amman Museum of Modern Art. Throughout his career, Abdelke has participated in numerous exhibitions across the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe, solidifying his reputation as one of Syria's leading contemporary artists.

Key Exhibitions & Auctions

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

"Youssef Abdelké", Galerie Tanit, Beirut, Lebanon (2023)

"Une Donation contre la Mort en Syrie", Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris, France (2018)

"Schwartz", Sfeir-Semler Gallery, Hamburg, Germany (2018)

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

"Arab Presences: Modern Art And Decolonisation: Paris 1908-1988", Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, France (2024)

"A la Plume, au Pinceau, au Crayon: Dessins du Monde Arabe", Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris, France (2019)

"Living Histories: Recent Acquisitions of Works on Paper by Contemporary Arab Artists", The British Museum, London, England (2017)

"Syria: Into The Light", Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, UAE (2017)

View Available Artworks