Kenan Abbas is a contemporary visual artist, currently based in Venice, Italy. He was born in the United States and raised between Azerbaijan, France, and the USA, while also having big exposure to Asia. Abbas developed his artistic foundation through direct mentorship from established artists across various mediums, cultivating a sophisticated understanding of light, perspective, and anatomy outside traditional academic frameworks.
His early career was marked by participation in notable artist residencies, culminating in the acquisition of three works by UNESCO for their permanent collection in support of global peace initiatives.
In 2024, Abbas joined the prestigious Berengo Studio in Murano, Venice, a foundational institution known for its innovative collaborations with leading contemporary artists in glass art. While at Berengo, he contributed to the creation of works for internationally renowned artists including Tony Cragg, Ai Weiwei, and Thomas Schütte, with several pieces featured across multiple pavilions at the Venice Biennale.
Working primarily in acrylic and oil, Abbas's practice explores how context shapes identity and perception. His immersion in Venice's vibrant artistic underground has further catalyzed his experimental approach to materials and methodologies. This ongoing exploration of medium and method serves his broader artistic investigation into the mechanisms of perception, reflecting his deep engagement with questions of cultural context and identity formation.The artist's work demonstrates how cross-cultural experiences can become a lens through which to examine and challenge conventional perspectives, positioning Abbas at the intersection of contemporary artistic practice and cultural dialogue.
Currently based in Venice, Italy, Abbas continues to develop work that draws on his unique international background while pushing the boundaries of traditional painting techniques.
Kenan Abbas is a contemporary visual artist, currently based in Venice, Italy. He was born in the United States and raised between Azerbaijan, France, and the USA, while also having big exposure to Asia. Abbas developed his artistic foundation through direct mentorship from established artists across various mediums, cultivating a sophisticated understanding of light, perspective, and anatomy outside traditional academic frameworks.
His early career was marked by participation in notable artist residencies, culminating in the acquisition of three works by UNESCO for their permanent collection in support of global peace initiatives.
In 2024, Abbas joined the prestigious Berengo Studio in Murano, Venice, a foundational institution known for its innovative collaborations with leading contemporary artists in glass art. While at Berengo, he contributed to the creation of works for internationally renowned artists including Tony Cragg, Ai Weiwei, and Thomas Schütte, with several pieces featured across multiple pavilions at the Venice Biennale.
Working primarily in acrylic and oil, Abbas's practice explores how context shapes identity and perception. His immersion in Venice's vibrant artistic underground has further catalyzed his experimental approach to materials and methodologies. This ongoing exploration of medium and method serves his broader artistic investigation into the mechanisms of perception, reflecting his deep engagement with questions of cultural context and identity formation.The artist's work demonstrates how cross-cultural experiences can become a lens through which to examine and challenge conventional perspectives, positioning Abbas at the intersection of contemporary artistic practice and cultural dialogue.
Currently based in Venice, Italy, Abbas continues to develop work that draws on his unique international background while pushing the boundaries of traditional painting techniques.
