I met Bakheit Ibra through a mutual friend back in 2006. Little did I know that 8 years later I would be in the position to help introduce his art to Denver. He has a distinct voice, point of view and interpretation of everyday living. The Library is delighted to host Mr. Ibra's very first exhibition, The Art of Addiction and Impossible Healing.
Exhibit:
April 1 -29th
Artist Chat:
Saturday, April 12th, 12-1 p.m.
Stop by and meet Artist Bakheit Ibra. He will be on hand to discuss his artistic journey and inspiration for his work.
Bakheit Ibra knew early in life he had talent and describes it as “God given.” Bakheit grew up in Omdurman, a district of the capitol Khartoum, Sudan where as a child he was always drawing pictures. He worked briefly for a newspaper as a comic book illustrator. He attended Beirut University in Alexandria, Egypt and earned a BA in Business. His passion for art and drawing was put on the back burner while he was in college. In 1988, Bakheit arrived in the United States and spent the majority of his time driving a taxicab in New York, which left hardly any time for him to engage in his art. A move to Denver, Colorado in 1999 ignited Bakheit’s passion for art again in such a strong way that it could not be ignored. In 2000 he began painting and to-date has created 50 distinctive works of art.
Bakheit is a self-taught artist who did not receive formal education or training at an art school. His school was the library where he studied various artists and art books, which helped him to develop his own style and elevate his talent. He describes his style this way, “If I had to label my style it would fall into the categories of abstract impressionism. I find inspiration in Salvador Dali, George Braque, Pablo Picasso, Edvard Munch, and the most famous Sudanese artist Ibrahim El Salahi.” Bakheit’s art is partially a reflection of his Sudanese culture and what he sees in everyday life. He says, “If I have an idea I put it on canvas. I look into history as inspiration. I paint the struggle of blacks, the poor, and the struggle of people in Africa…their everyday struggle.” He goes on to say, “Their pain is my inspiration. You can find it in everyone and it tells you something. My art isn’t strictly African or Sudanese, it’s for everyone, for the entire human race.”
For more information about the exhibit, please contact Mr. Ibra at bakheitrahama@gmail.com.
Visit our website for a sneak peek of the exhibit.
PLEASE NOTE: Library hours: Mon & Wed. 12-8 p.m. Tue, Thurs and Fri 10 a.m.– 6 p.m. Sat 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. / Closed Sunday
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