Kais Salman (born 1976) is a

Syrian Syrians ( ar, سُورِيُّون, ''Sūriyyīn'') are an Eastern Mediterranean ethnic group indigenous to the Levant. They share common Levantine Semitic roots. The cultural and linguistic heritage of the Syrian people is a blend of both indi ...

painter, based in

Damascus )), is an adjective which means "spacious". , motto = , image_flag = Flag of Damascus.svg , image_seal = Emblem of Damascus.svg , seal_type = Seal , map_caption = , ...

. His technique has been described as "

monochromatic A monochrome or monochromatic image, object or color scheme, palette is composed of one color (or lightness, values of one color). Images using only Tint, shade and tone, shades of grey are called grayscale (typically digital) or Black and wh ...

abstract expressionism Abstract expressionism is a post–World War II art movement in American painting, developed in New York City in the 1940s. It was the first specifically American movement to achieve international influence and put New York at the center of the ...

," and a departure from the work done by previous generations of Syrian painters, who had been more influenced by Soviet art. Like other contemporary Syrian artists, Salman has benefited from his country's increasing contact and popularity on the international art market, including the art auction houses of Dubai, with his paintings increasing sixfold in value from 2006 to 2010, and now selling for as much as 17,500

euros The euro (symbol: €; code: EUR) is the official currency of 19 out of the member states of the European Union (EU). This group of states is known as the eurozone or, officially, the euro area, and includes about 340 million citizens . T ...

. He is represented by the Ayyam Gallery. Born in Tartus, Salman graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts Damascus in 2002. Featured in countless group exhibitions in Syria and the Arab world, including the 4th Annual Youth exhibition in Damascus where he took first prize and the inaugural exhibition of the Damascus Museum of Modern Art, Salman has been a regular fixture of high-profile shows. Recently he has become essential to Ayyam's lineup participating in such standout events as its “Shabab Uprising,” “Young Collectors Auction (I and II)” and “Damascus Calling,” an exhibition held at The Park Avenue Armory in New York City in 2008. A favorite among collectors, his work is housed throughout the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. ayyam gallery artist bio, www.ayyamgallery.com

References

People from Damascus People from Tartus 1976 births Living people 20th-century Syrian painters 21st-century Syrian painters Syrian contemporary artists Syrian male artists {{Syria-painter-stub