About Artist
Born in Umm al-Fahm in 1982, Karim Abu Shakra was raised in a family renowned for its passion for art and creativity. He was especially influenced by the artwork of his late uncle, Assem Abu Shakra, who continuously supported his passion for art and his talent. Abu Shakra’s work is inspired by bits and pieces—fragments of his childhood memories, which reflect his deep connection with nature and his surroundings. Abu Shakra’s artwork can be considered his autobiographies, as he himself notes:
I paint without thinking and without planning what I’m going to paint. The painting’s theme stems from within me, but before I start painting, I try to collect my memories. It’s important to say that I observe meticulously each and every bud or rock around me, and I sometimes enter a meditative state; for example, when I stare at the sabra leaf for hours. And when I paint, I notice nothing but my painting. Perhaps you can compare me to other artists that I either know or don’t know. Each thing that I see—I do not paint it until I feel it and it becomes a part of me, and all you see is a part of who I am.
Abu Shakra has participated in several group and solo exhibitions in Palestine and internationally. Some of his solo exhibitions include The Endurance of Cactus at Gallery One (Ramallah, 2015); Unity of Man, Nature and Animal at Umm al-Fahm Art Gallery (2015); Childhood Memories at Jaffa Saloon of Palestine Art (2012); Black and White at the Palestinian National Theatre (Jerusalem, 2009), among many others. In addition, he has participated in many group exhibitions such as Faces . . . a Glimpse in Time at the Palestinian Art Court – al-Hoash (East Jerusalem, 2014); Ostraka International Sculpture Symposium (Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, 2011); and Etre Né(e) Nu(e)/DESIdeRata, Memory of the Future (Paris, France, 2008).
Conditions
The following conditions of sale describe the relationship between the Institute for Palestine Studies-USA and the buyers, prospective buyers, and bidders for the Keyword: Palestine II Art Exhibition and Auction which will begin on March 2nd, 2020, and end on December 31st, 2020. By using this website to buy, bid, or inquire about any artwork, you agree to be bound by these conditions.
When you place a bid on any artwork, you are accepting personal liability for the purchase price, any applicable taxes, any and all shipping and packing costs, and all other applicable charges. Any artwork bought by residents of the District of Columbia will be subjected to a 6% sales tax on the market value of the artwork. All U.S. resident buyers can claim tax deductions on amounts that exceed the market value of the artwork. Market value of artwork is their starting value.
Bid winners can pick up the artwork they bought from the Institute for Palestine Studies-USA or have the Institute arrange for shipment, however, reiterating, that the buyer is responsible for all packing and shipment costs.
There will be ten (10) bidding cycles. Each cycle will close on the last day of the month at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (USA) at which time the highest bidder for the art will be notified of their winning bid.
Please note that all bids are final once submitted and may not be cancelled or modified by you, except with our express written consent under circumstances that we consider appropriate at our sole discretion. Please also note that all sales are final.