“The relationship between two is defined by distinct discrepancies between the normal and the non-normal state of the eyes, eyebrows, teeth, lips, and forehead. Every wrinkle and movement that crosses the face relays a fear (thought) that the mind has been conditioned to hold on to. These reactive movements describe the relationship between all, but more importantly, between one and himself.
I am hoping these moments of attempted nothingness achieve nothing. & when my fears set in, maybe I hope they fix the whole world, curing the fears within us that create violence, separation, culture, color, religion, and ‘reality’”
- S
Saber Ahmed (b. 1995, Houston) is a self-taught abstract and figurative painter whose work primarily examines the concept of duality and the relationships between forms. Ahmed obtained a degree in finance at the University of Houston before fully dedicating himself to the practice of painting.
For the past seven years, he has also served as the creative director of the menswear label Glass Cypress, integrating his artistic vision into the realm of fashion design.
Philosophy
Ahmed’s artistic focus is predominantly on the human head, where he manipulates features such as eyebrows, eyes, and teeth to explore various relational dynamics and emotional states. His preferred medium is oil on canvas, and he is known for producing large-format paintings that provide a substantial visual impact.
Ahmed draws significant inspiration from early 1900s Viennese artists, notably Gustav Klimt, whose intricate patterns and symbolic imagery resonate with Ahmed’s detailed approach to depicting human features.
Additionally, Ahmed’s work is influenced by the hybridized philosophical perspectives of Jiddu Krishnamurti and Ayn Rand. Krishnamurti’s emphasis on individual perception and inner freedom, combined with Rand’s Objectivist philosophy celebrating human potential, inform Ahmed’s thematic exploration of duality and relational dynamics.
With perfection removed, the colors are then ‘what is’
Technique
Ahmed employs a unique primal painting technique characterized by his alternation between microscopic (detailed) and macroscopic (broad) perspectives. This method allows him to create an asymmetric harmony in his compositions, balancing detailed features with expansive forms and textures. His work frequently features a central figure or motif surrounded by abstract elements, reflecting his interest in the interplay between individual subjects and their broader context.