Omar Zafar investigates through personal, unique means of expression the vibrant world of interaction, experimentation and daring innovations in contemporary painting, unveiling an eclectic collection that transcends boundaries and showcases further possibilities within the genre, beyond the confines of contemporary appropriation.

Ηe invites the spectator to unite with works in celebration of art’s transformative power—to inspire, to provoke, and to forge connections that resonate across cultures and generations. The audience may actually touch and interact with his works. A new form of spectatorship is born, that of an energetic and performative spectator.

After earning a BFA in painting from Clark University in 1996, Omar Zafar embarked on a transformative journey, teaching art in NYC schools and exhibiting in alternative spaces. In 1999 he was a recipient of an “Independent Project Grant,” from Artist Space. After relocating to Athens in 2000, he participated in various important group shows. His work challenges and propagates further possibilities in painting, within the context of its history and contemporary culture. The history of painting is a treasure trove filled with atemporal concepts, which he harnesses to push further heuristically, as a scientist would, in constant pursuit for new discovery.

Zafar’s return to the art scene after a 20-year break brings a renewed sense of vigor and exploration to his practice. His hiatus has lent depth and perspective to his work, infusing it with a rich tapestry of experiences from his diverse background as a Bangladesh-born Greek/Bangladeshi artist, educated in India and the USA. Drawing from years of immersion in the business world, Zafar’s eclectic painting style reflects a synthesis of cultural influences and a keen sense of artistic
inquiry.

Art historian Margarita Kataga says: In Omar Zafar’s solo exhibition at Alibi Gallery, nestled in the heart of downtown Athens, let us all revel in the timeless allure of artistic exploration and the endless possibilities it beholds.

Gallery Alibi

Sarri 12, Athens 10553, Greece

Tuesday-Friday: 12.00-14.00 & 15.00-18.00, Saturday: 12.00-18.00, Sundays& Mondays: Closed

Opening: Thursday 16 May 2024, 19: 00-22:00
Duration: 16 May– 20 June 2024