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BIO

Rafig Abbas is an Azerbaijani artist currently living and working in Raleigh, North Carolina.

His work explores the relationship of color and human emotion. Using oil paint as the main medium in his work, he invites the viewer to immerse oneself in his work.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My work explores the emotional resonance of color through large-scale oil paintings. I am drawn to the immersive power of size - how a large canvas that fills a wall can also fill the body with sensation, drawing the viewer into a space where color can evoke feelings. By use of color, I aim to create compositions that evoke pure human feelings beyond words.

At the heart of my practice is a belief that color is not simply a visual element, but can resonate with an individual on a much deeper instinctual level. Just as music can directly affect human mood, abstract color can also resonate with the viewer in the same way. Ultimately, my paintings are invitations: to stand before them, to slow down, and to experience one's own sensations.

PERSONAL STORY

Born in Sumqayit, in a small, coastal city in Azerbaijan, Rafig, later moved to the capital city of Baku. From his early ages he received training in classical piano and was interested in photography. When he graduated from high school he moved to The Netherlands where he attended Minerva Fine Art & Design Academy. During his studies he was actively involved in the ongoing Jazz & Visual Art scene in The Netherlands. After receiving his MA in Fine Art from the Willem De Kooning Academy in Rotterdam, he moved to The United States and started painting. His fascinations include works by Mark Rothko, Clyfford Still, Yves Klein, Piet Mondrian and Jean-Michel Basquiat.

CONTACT

Rafig Abbas's Studio is located in Downtown Raleigh, North Carolina.

Please send all inquiries directly to Rafig.

E-mail: hello@rafigabbas.com

Socials: @rafig.abbas

ARTIST CV