b. 1960, Manama, Bahrain, lives and works in Bahrain

Abbas Yousif, a distinguished Bahraini artist and writer, is known for his multifaceted career that blends art and literature. His work draws inspiration from literature, Arabic poetry, and Sufi texts, manifesting in various mediums such as painting, calligraphy, printmaking, and collage.

Abbas’s I was founded in blue employs blue hues to symbolize the celebration of human existence on Earth. Blue represents the vast sky and the expansive sea, signifying the shared experience of humanity under the heavens, and life’s journey, highlighting the wonder of our collective being. In This Is Your Name the artist uses blue to celebrate life while countering the somber idea of death. Both work are part of a series titled This is Your Name a tribute to to the writings of famous Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish.

Abbas has a bachelor’s in Arabic literature from the University of Qatar (1982). His work has been recognized in the Gulf and internationally, with pieces acquired by prestigious institutions like the British Museum, the Arabian Contemporary Art Museum, and the National Museum of Bahrain.