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Welcome to My gallery - Faces of Humanity. Here you will find a collection of vibrant and unique portraits capturing underprivileged and marginalized individuals from different cultures and walks of life. My artwork aims to bring attention to these individuals and their stories, evoking empathy and understanding. My approach lies in the way I portray the eyes of the people I paint, allowing viewers to deeply connect with the emotions and experiences of the subjects. My portraits serve as a reminder to prioritize what truly matters and to bring about positive change.
Uyghur Girl
The Uyghur people, mostly Muslim, have faced a long and difficult
struggle for their identity and freedom. For decades, they have been
a minority group living in the Xinjiang region of China, with a distinct
culture, language, and religion. But their way of life has been constantly threatened by the Chinese government’s policies and actions. Human rights groups believe China has detained more than
1 million Uyghurs against their will over the past few years in a large
network of “re-education camps”, and sentenced hundreds of thousands to prison terms (BBC).
Showcased in FACES and FIGURES, 2024 - online exhibition at Las Laguna Art Gallery in July 2024
https://www.laslagunaartgallery.com/2024faces
struggle for their identity and freedom. For decades, they have been
a minority group living in the Xinjiang region of China, with a distinct
culture, language, and religion. But their way of life has been constantly threatened by the Chinese government’s policies and actions. Human rights groups believe China has detained more than
1 million Uyghurs against their will over the past few years in a large
network of “re-education camps”, and sentenced hundreds of thousands to prison terms (BBC).
Showcased in FACES and FIGURES, 2024 - online exhibition at Las Laguna Art Gallery in July 2024
https://www.laslagunaartgallery.com/2024faces
A Child Soldier
As child soldiers in parts of Africa, each day is a struggle to survive.
They are abducted from their villages by armed militants and forced
to join a rebel army. After years of fighting and killing under the
influence of drugs and violent conditioning, they struggle to return
to normalcy. The trauma may live on. For a former child soldier in
Africa leaving the rebels means that a new struggle has just begun.
They are abducted from their villages by armed militants and forced
to join a rebel army. After years of fighting and killing under the
influence of drugs and violent conditioning, they struggle to return
to normalcy. The trauma may live on. For a former child soldier in
Africa leaving the rebels means that a new struggle has just begun.
Cubana
This painting depicts a Cuban tobacco farmer taking a break from his work on a stifling, hot afternoon.
Poor Afghan Boy
Afghanistan, a nation known for its ancient
culture and remarkable history, has been
marked by decades of turmoil and conflict.
These poor Afghan children represent the
millions of individuals who have faced
unimaginable challenges and deprivation as
a consequence of war, poverty, and gender
inequality. Afghanistan's turbulent history includes foreign invasions, civil wars, political unrest, and most notably, the Taliban regime, which further compounded the struggles faced by its people, particularly women and children. Forced into lives of uncertainty, poverty, and
displacement, their stories are often forgotten amidst the chaos.
culture and remarkable history, has been
marked by decades of turmoil and conflict.
These poor Afghan children represent the
millions of individuals who have faced
unimaginable challenges and deprivation as
a consequence of war, poverty, and gender
inequality. Afghanistan's turbulent history includes foreign invasions, civil wars, political unrest, and most notably, the Taliban regime, which further compounded the struggles faced by its people, particularly women and children. Forced into lives of uncertainty, poverty, and
displacement, their stories are often forgotten amidst the chaos.
Poor Afghan Girl
An Afghan girl with Aryan facial features.
Anechka, an orphan
Bringing attention to the rising number of orphans all over the world.
Many children enter the system due to circumstances beyond their
control, such as a parents substance abuse, illness, incarceration, or
death. The likelihood of children aging out of the system without
being adopted increases each year.
Many children enter the system due to circumstances beyond their
control, such as a parents substance abuse, illness, incarceration, or
death. The likelihood of children aging out of the system without
being adopted increases each year.
Scars Remind Me
The deep scars Are a map of loss and suffering, a visible reminder of
Rwanda’s brutal 1994 genocide that left over 800,000 Tutsis and
moderate Hutus dead in just 100 days. These scar lines are a path of
healing, courage, and hope. This man’s face was sliced with
machetes, but he survived. This is the face of resilience. This
harrowing story is to remind of our capacity for evil and good, our
darkest moments, but there is always hope.
Showcased in Politics and Art 2024 - online exhibition at Las Laguna Art Gallery in July 2024
https://www.laslagunaartgallery.com/politicsandart
Rwanda’s brutal 1994 genocide that left over 800,000 Tutsis and
moderate Hutus dead in just 100 days. These scar lines are a path of
healing, courage, and hope. This man’s face was sliced with
machetes, but he survived. This is the face of resilience. This
harrowing story is to remind of our capacity for evil and good, our
darkest moments, but there is always hope.
Showcased in Politics and Art 2024 - online exhibition at Las Laguna Art Gallery in July 2024
https://www.laslagunaartgallery.com/politicsandart
An Uyghur girl (2)
A blue eyed Uyghur girl. The rarity of blue eyes in the Asian population adds to the unique beauty and diversity found within different ethnic backgrounds.
A Homeless Man in Turkey
There are many factors that contribute to homelessness across the
world, including economic, political, medical factors as well as acts
of nature. This painting reminds viewers of an earthquake that struck
Turkey and Syria in early 2023 affecting 15 mln. people. The
International Organization for Migration estimated over 2.7 mln
people were made homeless.
world, including economic, political, medical factors as well as acts
of nature. This painting reminds viewers of an earthquake that struck
Turkey and Syria in early 2023 affecting 15 mln. people. The
International Organization for Migration estimated over 2.7 mln
people were made homeless.
Rabari Gypsy (Rajastan, India)
The Rabari are an indigenous tribal caste of nomadic cattle and camel herders and shepherds that live throughout northwest India. The word “Rabari” translates as “outsiders”, a fair description of their primary occupation and status within Indian society. Rabari Tribes go back to their village once a year and make their living by selling milk. Completely nomads in the past, they are now semi-nomads, moving from their village according to the seasons. The exact origin of the Rabari people is unknown. It is most likely that they migrated to India from Iran via Afghanistan through Baluchistan around a thousand year ago. The majority of Rabari, which include 133 recognized sub casts, follow the Hindu faith.
Cuban Afternoon, A Farmer Woman
Cuban agricultural system relied heavily on a steady flow of resources
from the Soviet Union. This included supplies, petroleum, fertilizers,
livestock vaccines and much more. After Soviet Union’s collapse in 1989
Cuba experienced a major economic crisis and agricultural production
plummeted and factories shut down. As a result, people learned how to
work resourcefully with the meager supplies they had. Women were an
integral part of revolutionizing farming and food distribution in Cuba.
from the Soviet Union. This included supplies, petroleum, fertilizers,
livestock vaccines and much more. After Soviet Union’s collapse in 1989
Cuba experienced a major economic crisis and agricultural production
plummeted and factories shut down. As a result, people learned how to
work resourcefully with the meager supplies they had. Women were an
integral part of revolutionizing farming and food distribution in Cuba.
Bacha Bazi
The history behind this subject is an unsettling chapter in many
cultures. Bacha Bazi, meaning "boy play" in Dari, was a practice
prevalent in some regions of Central Asia, particularly during the late
19th and early 20th centuries. Young boys, usually from
disadvantaged backgrounds, were coerced, sold, or kidnapped and
forced into the clutches of wealthy or powerful men.
These boys would be groomed to dance and entertain at private
gatherings, often serving as objects of desire and indulgence for
their masters. The practice involves a multitude of moral, ethical,
and legal issues, emphasizing the dark underbelly of societies
where power imbalances and exploitation of the vulnerable persist.
cultures. Bacha Bazi, meaning "boy play" in Dari, was a practice
prevalent in some regions of Central Asia, particularly during the late
19th and early 20th centuries. Young boys, usually from
disadvantaged backgrounds, were coerced, sold, or kidnapped and
forced into the clutches of wealthy or powerful men.
These boys would be groomed to dance and entertain at private
gatherings, often serving as objects of desire and indulgence for
their masters. The practice involves a multitude of moral, ethical,
and legal issues, emphasizing the dark underbelly of societies
where power imbalances and exploitation of the vulnerable persist.
Dreams in Pink. Dalit Girl
The painting portrays a Dalit girl sitting atop a concrete pipe, silently observing children from a different caste playing across the river. It is a glimpse into the prejudice and injustice that continues to plague Dalits due to the rigid caste system in India.
Dalits, a.k.a. untouchables, is the lowest stratum of the castes in the Indian subcontinent.
Dalits, a.k.a. untouchables, is the lowest stratum of the castes in the Indian subcontinent.
Georgian Monk
Georgia (Sakartvelo) is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and West Asia. It is part of the Caucasus region. The Georgian Orthodox Church is one of the world's oldest Christian Churches, and tradition traces its origins to the mission of Apostle Andrew in the 1st century.
Horse Guards Parade
This painting depicts a King's Life Guard, standing tall and proud amidst the grandeur of Horse Guards Parade, a historic location in London.
A Gypsy Girl
In the vast and diverse landscape of the Indian subcontinent, there are communities that face the harsh realities of poverty and marginalization on a daily basis. These challenges often stem from a lack of access to basic resources, limited educational opportunities, and social inequalities. However, many international organizations are working to find sustainable solutions that can reduce poverty and build shared prosperity in developing countries.
Don't Look Up
The Owl Whisperer
The Tuareg (after © George Steinmetz)
The nomadic and ancient Tuaregs, an Islamic tribe in Africa, have
maintained their traditional way of life for centuries living in the world’s
largest desert. Yet they represent a progressive matrilineal society
where women’s rights have been embraced. Women own housing,
stock, can have multiple sexual partners, can ask for a divorce and keep
the family assets, and don’t wear a veil.
maintained their traditional way of life for centuries living in the world’s
largest desert. Yet they represent a progressive matrilineal society
where women’s rights have been embraced. Women own housing,
stock, can have multiple sexual partners, can ask for a divorce and keep
the family assets, and don’t wear a veil.
Abrek, the Chechen Samurai
The Abreks were outlaws who rebelled against Russian rule in
Chechnya during the 19th century. They were lone wolves who lived
by a code of honor and fought a guerilla war in the mountains of the
North Caucasus. The Abreks were seen as heroes by Chechens for
their daring raids and refusal to be conquered.
The Legend of the Abrek lives on today as symbol of Chechen
independence and defiance in the face of oppression.
Chechnya during the 19th century. They were lone wolves who lived
by a code of honor and fought a guerilla war in the mountains of the
North Caucasus. The Abreks were seen as heroes by Chechens for
their daring raids and refusal to be conquered.
The Legend of the Abrek lives on today as symbol of Chechen
independence and defiance in the face of oppression.
The Bond
An Afghan Girl
My Hair
Altai
For decades Russia has tried to see the story that the country is a
“family of nations.” Current government is not an exception in its
attempt to export this narrative, but this image doesn’t reflect the
reality of ethnic minorities. “Non-Slavic Russian citizen” would
experience discrimination in speaking their own language, renting an
apartment, going to school or college and even violence. Unfortunately,
the outside world knows very little of this side of Russia. Even Russians
themselves find it hard to believe this and that is the power of
propaganda.
“family of nations.” Current government is not an exception in its
attempt to export this narrative, but this image doesn’t reflect the
reality of ethnic minorities. “Non-Slavic Russian citizen” would
experience discrimination in speaking their own language, renting an
apartment, going to school or college and even violence. Unfortunately,
the outside world knows very little of this side of Russia. Even Russians
themselves find it hard to believe this and that is the power of
propaganda.
FGM. Indonesia
This is a story of a young girl who has just had an operation called
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) with her mother by her side.
Mother who believed that this ensures her daughter’s fidelity and
purity.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) with her mother by her side.
Mother who believed that this ensures her daughter’s fidelity and
purity.
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