Abed Abdi (born February 1942 in Haifa) is an Palestinian painter, graphic designer, sculptor and art lecturer.
Abdi worked as a blacksmith and illustrated Arabic publications that appeared in Israel. After studying in Dresden, Abdi became the first Palestinian to build monumental art on native soil.[citation needed] His allegorical monuments in Galilee, honoring human fortitude and resistance, include a narrative mural depicting Elijah's defiance and survival and a bronze Land Day memorial.
Abdi held his first exhibition in Tel Aviv in 1962. He then pursued academic studies at the Fine Arts Academy in Dresden (Germany). His professors were Lea Grundig, Gerhard Bondzin and Gerhard Kettner. His masterwork at the Academy received the 2nd prize, which allowed Abdi to spend another year at the Academy and specialize in murals and environmental sculpture. In 1972 he returned to Haifa, and worked as graphic designer for a number of Arabic language publications, taught arts and designed murals. The city of Haifa awarded Abdi the "Hermann Struck Best Artist of the Year" Prize in 1973. That year, he also obtained the Young Artist's award at the Berlin International Youth Festival. The city of Haifa awarded him the "Best Artist of the Year Hermann Struck" award for the second time in 1999.
Abed Abdi has erected a number of memorial monuments and murals: in 1977—a sculpture to commemorate the Land Day of 1976; in 1984—the memorial to commemorate 75 years for the existence of the Galilean municipality of Shefa Amr. In addition, he has painted a number of murals in Haifa, Jaffa and Nazareth.
Abed Abdi has exhibited in Qatar, Israel, Belgium and Bulgaria. He has participated in over 45 group exhibitions, among them the joint Palestinian-Israeli exhibition "It's possible" which toured the US and Germany between 1988 and 1990. In 1995 he participated in the second exhibition for Palestinians and Israelis in Germany. His work appeared in the "Solidarity with the Palestinian People" exhibit in Tokyo, Berlin, Brussels, Belgrade and Athens. He also organized and participated in exhibitions with Israeli and Palestinian artists in Tel-Aviv, Haifa and West Jerusalem in the period between 1980 and 1987 defending the freedom of expression and creativity.
Abdi is an active member of the Haifa branch of the Israeli Association of Painters and Sculptures, as well as the Jewish-Arab Center of Beit Hagefen. This has enabled him to unite Palestinian and Israeli artists, and organize joint exhibitions, bringing the prospects of peace closer. Abdi founded the Ibda' society for the promotion of visual arts in the Arab Israeli sector and Ara belle - Visual Arts Workshop in Haifa, for the promotion of the visual arts and intercultural dialogue through the arts. Abdi is president of Al Midan Theater in Haifa. He has been teaching fine arts in the Arab Pedagogical College in Haifa since 1985.
Abed ABDI (Palestine, 1942) In the shadow of the agression, 2024 Signé et daté en bas à gauche "A. Abdi 2024" acrylic on canvas réalisé en 2024 110 x 90 cm *** Signed and dated lower left "A. Abdi 2024" Acrylic on canvas executed in 2024
Abed ABDI (Palestine, 1942) Fishermen in Acre Signé et daté en bas à gauche "A.Abdi 1970" tempera sur papier peint en 1970 24 x 32 cm *** Signed and dated lower left "A. Abdi 1970" tempera on paper painted in 1970 Un Artiste Palestinien Entre Tradition et Modernité Abed Abdi est l’un des artistes les plus éminents de la scène artistique palestinienne contemporaine. Né en 1942 à Haïfa, en Palestine, Abdi a vécu l'expérience traumatisante de l’exil et de la perte, un thème central de son œuvre tout au long de sa carrière. Après la Nakba de 1948, qui a entraîné le déplacement massif des Palestiniens, il fuit sa ville natale et s’installe au Liban avec sa famille, où il passera une grande partie de son enfance et de sa jeunesse. Son art s’inscrit dans un contexte profondément marqué par les événements politiques qui ont façonné l’histoire moderne du peuple palestinien. Très tôt, Abdi prend conscience du rôle que l’art peut jouer dans la lutte pour l’identité et la reconnaissance nationale. Il s’initie à la peinture au Liban et poursuit sa formation à l’Académie des Beaux-Arts de Beyrouth, avant de se rendre en Europe, où il se perfectionne en Italie. Un Art Engagé et Visionnaire Les œuvres d’Abed Abdi se caractérisent par une forte dimension symbolique et engagée. L’artiste explore à travers ses peintures et ses sculptures les thématiques de l’identité palestinienne, de l’exil, du déracinement, mais aussi de la résilience et de l’espoir. Son travail est un témoignage de la souffrance du peuple palestinien, mais aussi de son inaltérable volonté de résister et de se reconstruire. L’une des caractéristiques majeures de l’œuvre d’Abdi est sa capacité à marier les traditions artistiques arabes et palestiniennes avec des formes contemporaines, donnant ainsi une dimension universelle à ses créations. À travers des compositions dynamiques et souvent épurées, il parvient à capter la complexité des réalités humaines et politiques de la Palestine. Ses œuvres, souvent peuplées de silhouettes humaines, évoquent à la fois l’intemporalité des luttes humaines et la particularité de l’expérience palestinienne. ### L'Œuvre : Un Dialogue avec le Passé et l'Avenir Dans ses peintures et ses sculptures, Abedi se sert d’éléments de l’art traditionnel arabe, tels que l’utilisation de la calligraphie arabe et des motifs géométriques, qu’il réinterprète avec une vision moderniste. Cette fusion de styles anciens et modernes reflète l’évolution de la culture palestinienne et la résistance à l’effacement de son histoire. L’une de ses œuvres les plus emblématiques est une série où il représente des silhouettes humaines, souvent de femmes, avec des éléments symboliques comme des armes ou des accessoires traditionnels. Ces figures sont vues comme des métaphores de la force et de la persévérance face aux épreuves. Les couleurs vives et la gestuelle énergique de ses œuvres témoignent de l’espoir et de la foi en la possibilité d’un avenir meilleur, malgré les obstacles constants. Abed Abdi a également joué un rôle important dans la diffusion de l’art palestinien à l’international, et son travail a été exposé dans de nombreux musées et galeries prestigieuses à travers le monde. À travers son art, il a su porter la voix du peuple palestinien, la sublimant et la transformant en un langage universel. ### Un Héritage Durable Abed Abdi demeure une figure incontournable de l’art contemporain palestinien. Son engagement, sa vision unique et son talent ont contribué à établir l’art palestinien comme une composante importante de l’art moderne international. Ses œuvres continuent de toucher et d’inspirer, en offrant une réflexion profonde sur les enjeux de l’identité, de l’exil et de la résistance. L’artiste a ainsi réussi à créer une œuvre non seulement visuellement puissante, mais aussi profondément ancrée dans les réalités politiques et sociales du monde arabe et palestinien. Par son art, Abdi rappelle que l’art peut être un moyen de résistance, de mémoire et d’espoir, un langage visuel capable de transcender les frontières et de toucher l’âme humaine. *** ### Abed Abdi: A Palestinian Artist Between Tradition and Modernity Abed Abdi is one of the most prominent figures in contemporary Palestinian art. Born in 1942 in Haifa, Palestine, Abdi experienced the traumatic events of exile and loss, themes that have been central to his work throughout his career. After the Nakba of 1948, which led to the mass displacement of Palestinians, he fled his hometown and settled in Lebanon with his family, where he spent much of his childhood and youth. His art is deeply rooted in the political events that have shaped the modern history of the Palestinian people. Early on, Abdi became aware of the role art could play in the struggle for identity and national recognition. He began studying painting in Lebanon and continued his education at the Academy of Fine Arts in Beirut, before traveling to Europe, where he refined his craft in Italy. *** An Engaged and Visionary Art Abed Abdi’s works are characterized by a strong symbolic and engaged dimension. Through his paintings and sculptures, the artist explores themes of Palestinian identity, exile, uprooting, but also resilience and hope. His work stands as a testimony to the suffering of the Palestinian people, but also to their unyielding will to resist and rebuild. One of the major characteristics of Abdi’s art is his ability to blend traditional Arab and Palestinian artistic elements with contemporary forms, giving his creations a universal dimension. Through dynamic and often simplified compositions, he captures the complexity of both the human and political realities of Palestine. His works, often featuring human silhouettes, evoke both the timelessness of human struggles and the particularity of the Palestinian experience. The Artwork: A Dialogue with the Past and the Future In his paintings and sculptures, Abdi draws on elements of traditional Arab art, such as Arabic calligraphy and geometric patterns, which he reinterprets with a modernist vision. This fusion of old and new styles reflects the evolution of Palestinian culture and the resistance to the erasure of its history. One of his most iconic works is a series in which he represents human silhouettes, often of women, with symbolic elements such as weapons or traditional accessories. These figures are seen as metaphors for strength and perseverance in the face of adversity. The vivid colors and energetic gestures in his works reflect hope and faith in the possibility of a better future, despite constant challenges. Abed Abdi has also played an important role in promoting Palestinian art internationally, and his work has been exhibited in numerous prestigious museums and galleries around the world. Through his art, he has been able to amplify the voice of the Palestinian people, elevating it into a universal language. A Lasting Legacy Abed Abdi remains an essential figure in contemporary Palestinian art. His commitment, unique vision, and talent have helped establish Palestinian art as an important component of modern international art. His works continue to touch and inspire, offering a profound reflection on identity, exile, and resistance. The artist has thus succeeded in creating a body of work that is not only visually powerful but also deeply rooted in the political and social realities of the Arab and Palestinian world. Through his art, Abdi reminds us that art can be a means of resistance, memory, and hope, a visual language capable of transcending borders and touching the human soul.
Abed ABDI (Palestine, 1942) Displacement Acrylique sur toile 100 x 130 cm peint en 2020 signé et daté en bas à gauche *** Acrylic on canvas painted in 2020 signed and dated lower left Né à Haïfa, en Palestine sous mandat britannique, Abed Abdi a vu le jour le 16 février 1942 dans la ville côtière de Haïfa. Cependant, lorsque le conflit armé a éclaté en 1948, lui alors âgé de six ans et sa famille ont été contraints de fuir Haïfa. Ils ont d'abord cherché refuge au Liban, puis plus tard dans les camps de réfugiés en Syrie. Pendant cette période tumultueuse, son père, Qasem Abdi, est resté à Haïfa tandis que la famille faisait face aux défis du déplacement. Ce n'est qu'en 1952 que la famille a enfin été réunie à Haïfa en Israël. Ses contributions artistiques ont joué un rôle essentiel dans la formation de la mémoire collective de la minorité palestinienne, en particulier en ce qui concerne des événements historiques majeurs tels que la Nakba, les luttes des réfugiés, les souvenirs hantant des villages détruits et la profonde signification de la Journée de la Terre. Les deux peintures présentées dans ce catalogue reflètent magnifiquement l'impact profond ses expériences de vie et son engagement indéfectible à préserver la mémoire collective de la minorité palestinienne. Anglais Born in Haifa, Mandate Palestine, Abed Abdi entered the world on February 16, 1942, in the coastal city of Haifa,. However, when armed conflict erupted in 1948, he and his family were forced to flee Haifa when he was just six years old. They sought refuge first in Lebanon and later in the refugee camps of Syria. During these turbulent times, Abed's father, Qasem Abdi, remained in Haifa while the family faced the challenges of displacement. It was not until 1952 that the family was finally reunited in Haifa in Israel. Abed Abdi's artistic contributions have played an integral role in shaping the collective memory of the Palestinian minority, particularly with regard to significant historical events like the Nakba, the struggles of refugees, the haunting memories of destroyed villages, and the profound significance of Land Day. The two paintings featured in this catalogue beautifully encapsulate the profound impact of Abed Abdi's life experiences and his enduring commitment to preserving the collective memory of the Palestinian minority.
Abed ABDI (Palestine, 1942) Motif from Jerusalem Acrylique et technique mixte sur toile 55 x 50 cm Peint en 2005 Signé et daté en bas à gauche *** Acrylic and mixed media on canvas Painted in 2005 Signed and dated lower left
Abed ABDI (Palestine, 1942) Mother and her Child at the Refugee Camp Huile sur toile 45 x 60 cm Peint en 1967 Signé en arabe "Abed Abdi", signé et daté en latin " A. Abdi 67" en bas à gauche *** Oil on canvas Painted in 1967 Signed in Arabic "Abed Abdi", signed and dated in Latin "A. Abdi 67" lower left. H: 45 x L: 60 cm Collection particulière, Paris. Acquis directement auprès de l'artiste dans les année 70.
Abed ABDI (Palestine, 1942) Solidarity no.7 Tirage pigmentaire d'art 50x 60 cm Edition 100/100 Imprimé en 2022 Signé, daté et numéroté au dos *** Fine art pigment print Edition 100/100 Printed in 2022 Signed, dated and numbered on the reverse. H: 50 x L: 60 cm
Abed ABDI (Palestine, 1942) The Pessoptimist Tirage pigmentaire d'art 70 x 60 cm Edition 50/50 Imprimé en 2022 Signé, daté et numéroté au dos *** Fine art pigment print Edition 50/50 Printed in 2022 Signed, dated and numbered on the reverse. H: 70 x L: 70 cm
Abed ABDI (Palestine, 1942) Mother and her Child at the Refugee Camp Huile sur toile 45 x 60 cm Peint en 1967 Signé en arabe "Abed Abdi", signé et daté en latin " A. Abdi 67" en bas à gauche *** Oil on canvas Painted in 1967 Signed in Arabic "Abed Abdi", signed and dated in Latin "A. Abdi 67" lower left. H: 45 x L: 60 cm Collection particulière, Paris. Acquis directement auprès de l'artiste dans les année 70.
Abed ABDI (Palestine, 1942) Vieux bazar de Jérusalem Huile sur panneau 40 x 58 cm Peint en 1967 Signé et daté en bas à gauche "A.Abdi 1967", signé et daté au dos "A.abdi 1967" Oil on panel Painted in 1967 Signed and dated lower left "A.Abdi 1967", signed and dated on the back "A.abdi 1967" Atelier d'artiste Haifa Acquis directement auprès de l'artiste par l'actuel propriétaire. Artist studio, Haifa Acquired directly from the artist by the present owner.
ABED ABDI (PALESTINIAN, B. 1942) A Woman from the Palestinian Countryside Signed and dated “A.Abdi 2019” (lower left) acrylic on paper 68.5 x 55 cm Painted in 2019 This work is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.
ABED ABDI (PALESTINIAN, B. 1942) Refugees Signed ‘A.Abdi’ (lower right), dated ‘(1979) 2021’ (lower right), numbered ‘1/6’ (lower right) woodcut 69 x 54 cm Original print from 1979, reprinted in 2021 by the artist from the same woodblock. This work is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.
ABED ABDI (PALESTINIAN, B. 1942) Woman Waiting Signed and dated ‘A.Abdi - 1979’ (lower left), inscribed ‘1-2021’ (lower left), numbered ‘1/6’ (lower left) woodcut 68.5 x 50 cm This work is number one from an edition of six. Original print from 1969, reprinted in 2021 by the artist from the same woodblock. This work is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity
ABED ABDI (PALESTINIAN, B. 1942) Refugees Signed and dated ‘A.Abdi - 1968’ (lower left), inscribed in Arabic ‘printed in 2021’ (lower left), numbered ‘1/4’ (lower left) woodcut 50 x 41 cm This work is number one from an edition of four. Original print from 1968, reprinted in 2021 by the artist from the same woodblock. An edition of this print is part of The British Museum’s permanent collection. This work is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.
ABED ABDI (B. 1942) Interconnectedness Signed and dated ‘A.Abdi_2013’ (lower left), signed and dated again ‘ABED ABDI 2013’ (on the reverse), inscribed ‘interconnectedness’ (on the reverse) acrylic on paper 50 x 70cm Painted in 2013
ABED ABDI (B. 1942) Demonstration Signed and dated ‘A.Abdi 1978’ (lower left) woodcut 32 x 49cm Printed in 1978 This work is number seven from an edition of seven.
Abed Abdi (Palestine, born 1942) The Bride mixed media on canvas signed 'A. Abdi' and dated '98' (lower left), executed in 1998 90 x 90cm (35 7/16 x 35 7/16in). For further information on this lot please visit the Bonhams website
