Tasneem Sarkez

Employing a visual style she has described as “Arab kitsch,” the New-York-based artist Tasneem Sarkez works across various media to create pieces which elegantly blend pop visuals and potent sociopolitical symbolism. Elements of autobiography combine with mainstream signifiers, often nodding to American culture, in an exploration of her diasporic experience as an Arab woman. The car—a universally recognized symbol of status, commerce and technology—recurs as a subject. The aesthetic language of the internet, with its ability to disseminate and recontextualise images, is also hugely influential on Sarkez’s practice, as is an art-historical interest in romance and poetics. With her choice of subjects and framing, she draws parallels between the algorithmic curation of material on the internet, and the more traditional arrangement of painterly still lives—two modes of juxtaposition that imbue their composite parts with new significance by placing unexpected objects and symbols side-by-side. She has also expressed an interest in conjuring a sense of “Apricity,” a word that refers to the experience of feeling the rays of the sun in winter: a revelation of something real and warm hidden beneath an otherwise cool surface.

b. 2002, Portland, USA
Lives and works in New York

Education
2024

BFA , New York University

Solo & Two-Person Exhibitions
2025

White-Knuckle, Rose Easton, London, UK

Group Exhibitions
2025

Poor Images, curated by Ruba Al-Sweel, Siddiq Projects, Hamburg, DE (forthcoming)

we know nothing about people who don’t cry, Romance, Pittsburgh, USA

2024

SL x RE, Silke Lindner, New York, USA

WANAWAL Archives, curated by Evar Hussayni, FORMA Arts, London, UK

Landscapes of Ornamentation, curated by Marie Catalano, 80 WSE Gallery, New York, USA

Dirt in the Eye, Gnossienne Gallery, London, UK

2023

Saccharine Symbols, Rose Easton, London, UK

Me and You and Me and, SADE Gallery, Los Angeles, USA

2022

Printing the Future: Riso Revolution, curated by Panayiotis Terzis, Diefirma NYC Gallery, New York, USA

2021

Liminal Space, curated by Annabelle Park, 42 Rivington St, New York, USA

LKTV exhibition with Lino Kino Collective, Auto Mat gallery, Philadelphia, USA (2021)

Awards & Grants
2023

Martin Wong Award

Collections
2024

FORMA Arts, London UK

2023

Thomas J. Watson Library, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA

we know nothing about people who don’t cry, Romance, Pittsburgh, 8 February - 21 March 2025

we know nothing about people who don’t cry, Romance, Pittsburgh, 8 February - 21 March 2025

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we know nothing about people who don’t cry, Romance, Pittsburgh, 8 February - 21 March 2025

we know nothing about people who don’t cry, Romance, Pittsburgh, 8 February - 21 March 2025

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we know nothing about people who don’t cry, Romance, Pittsburgh, 8 February - 21 March 2025

we know nothing about people who don’t cry, Romance, Pittsburgh, 8 February - 21 March 2025

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Tasneem Sarkez, White-Knuckle, Rose Easton, London, 17 January - 1 March 2025

Tasneem Sarkez, White-Knuckle, Rose Easton, London, 17 January - 1 March 2025

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Tasneem Sarkez, White-Knuckle, Rose Easton, London, 17 January - 1 March 2025

Tasneem Sarkez, White-Knuckle, Rose Easton, London, 17 January - 1 March 2025

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Tasneem Sarkez, First Lady, 2024, oil on canvas, 53.3 × 35.6 cm

Tasneem Sarkez, First Lady, 2024, oil on canvas, 53.3 × 35.6 cm

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Tasneem Sarkez, White-Knuckle, Rose Easton, London, 17 January - 1 March 2025

Tasneem Sarkez, White-Knuckle, Rose Easton, London, 17 January - 1 March 2025

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Tasneem Sarkez, (C)OEXIST, 2024, oil on canvas, 101.6 × 76.2 cm

Tasneem Sarkez, (C)OEXIST, 2024, oil on canvas, 101.6 × 76.2 cm

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Tasneem Sarkez, White-Knuckle, Rose Easton, London, 17 January - 1 March 2025

Tasneem Sarkez, White-Knuckle, Rose Easton, London, 17 January - 1 March 2025

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Tasneem Sarkez, The Real Superhero Key, 2024, oil on canvas, 22.9 × 53.3 cm

Tasneem Sarkez, The Real Superhero Key, 2024, oil on canvas, 22.9 × 53.3 cm

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Tasneem Sarkez, The Real Superhero Key, 2024

Tasneem Sarkez, The Real Superhero Key, 2024

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Tasneem Sarkez, White-Knuckle, Rose Easton, London, 17 January - 1 March 2025

Tasneem Sarkez, White-Knuckle, Rose Easton, London, 17 January - 1 March 2025

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Tasneem Sarkez, Heart Notes no.2, 2025, Perfume oil, Boston bottles, acrylic shelves, tape, inkjet print 91 x 60 x 24 cm35 ⅞x 23 ⅝x 9 ½

Tasneem Sarkez, Heart Notes no.2, 2025, Perfume oil, Boston bottles, acrylic shelves, tape, inkjet print 91 x 60 x 24 cm 35 ⅞ x 23 ⅝ x 9 ½

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Tasneem Sarkez, White-Knuckle, Rose Easton, London, 17 January - 1 March 2025

Tasneem Sarkez, White-Knuckle, Rose Easton, London, 17 January - 1 March 2025

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Tasneem Sarkez, G-Class dancing with the Shah, 2024, oil on canvas, 76.2 × 76.2 cm

Tasneem Sarkez, G-Class dancing with the Shah, 2024, oil on canvas, 76.2 × 76.2 cm

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Tasneem Sarkez, White-Knuckle, Rose Easton, London, 17 January - 1 March 2025

Tasneem Sarkez, White-Knuckle, Rose Easton, London, 17 January - 1 March 2025

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Tasneem Sarkez, High Tea, 2024, oil on canvas, 55.9 × 35.6 cm

Tasneem Sarkez, High Tea, 2024, oil on canvas, 55.9 × 35.6 cm

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Tasneem Sarkez, White-Knuckle, Rose Easton, London, 17 January - 1 March 2025

Tasneem Sarkez, White-Knuckle, Rose Easton, London, 17 January - 1 March 2025

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Tasneem Sarkez, White-Knuckle, Rose Easton, London, 17 January - 1 March 2025

Tasneem Sarkez, White-Knuckle, Rose Easton, London, 17 January - 1 March 2025

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Tasneem Sarkez, Heart Notes no.1, 2025, Perfume oil, Boston bottles, acrylic shelves, tape, inkjet print, 91 x 60 x 24 cm 35 ⅞ x 23 ⅝ x 9 ½ in

Tasneem Sarkez, Heart Notes no.1, 2025, Perfume oil, Boston bottles, acrylic shelves, tape, inkjet print, 91 x 60 x 24 cm 35 ⅞ x 23 ⅝ x 9 ½ in

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Tasneem Sarkez, White-Knuckle, Rose Easton, London, 17 January - 1 March 2025

Tasneem Sarkez, White-Knuckle, Rose Easton, London, 17 January - 1 March 2025

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Tasneem Sarkez, Good Evening, 2024, oil on canvas, 76.2 × 76.2 cm

Tasneem Sarkez, Good Evening, 2024, oil on canvas, 76.2 × 76.2 cm

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SL × RE (New York), Silke Lindner, 28 June – 2 August 2024

SL × RE (New York), Silke Lindner, 28 June – 2 August 2024

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SL × RE (New York), Silke Lindner, 28 June – 2 August 2024

SL × RE (New York), Silke Lindner, 28 June – 2 August 2024

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Tasneem Sarkez, 24 Karat, 2024, oil on canvas, 91 x 115 x 5 cm (35 ⅞ x 45 ¼ x 2 in)

Tasneem Sarkez, 24 Karat, 2024, oil on canvas, 91 x 115 x 5 cm (35 ⅞ x 45 ¼ x 2 in)

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Tasneem Sarkez, 24 Karat, 2024 (alternative view)

Tasneem Sarkez, 24 Karat, 2024 (alternative view)

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SL × RE (New York), Silke Lindner, 28 June – 2 August 2024

SL × RE (New York), Silke Lindner, 28 June – 2 August 2024

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Tasneem Sarkez, Loujain Al-Hathloul, 2024, Oil on canvas, 63 x 29 x 4.5 cm (24 ¾ x 11 ⅜ x 1 ¾ in)

Tasneem Sarkez, Loujain Al-Hathloul, 2024, Oil on canvas, 63 x 29 x 4.5 cm (24 ¾ x 11 ⅜ x 1 ¾ in)

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Tasneem Sarkez, Loujain Al-Hathloul, 2024 (alternative view)

Tasneem Sarkez, Loujain Al-Hathloul, 2024 (alternative view)

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Tasneem Sarkez, Stars Betray Their Order, 2024, Oil on canvas, 38 x 38 x 4 cm (15 x 15 x 1 ⅝ in)

Tasneem Sarkez, Stars Betray Their Order, 2024, Oil on canvas, 38 x 38 x 4 cm (15 x 15 x 1 ⅝ in)

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Tasneem Sarkez, Stars Betray Their Order, 2024 (alternative view)

Tasneem Sarkez, Stars Betray Their Order, 2024 (alternative view)

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Tasneem Sarkez, Stars Betray Their Order, 2024 (detail)

Tasneem Sarkez, Stars Betray Their Order, 2024 (detail)

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Art Brussels, Booth 6A-34, 25–28 April 2024

Art Brussels, Booth 6A-34, 25–28 April 2024

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Art Brussels, Booth 6A-34, 25–28 April 2024

Art Brussels, Booth 6A-34, 25–28 April 2024

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Tasneem Sarkez, Come to Dubai, 2024, Oil on canvas, 76.2 x 101.6 x 4 cm (30 x 40 x 1 ⅝ in)

Tasneem Sarkez, Come to Dubai, 2024, Oil on canvas, 76.2 x 101.6 x 4 cm
(30 x 40 x 1 ⅝ in)

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Tasneem Sarkez, Come to Dubai, 2024 (alternative view)

Tasneem Sarkez, Come to Dubai, 2024 (alternative view)

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Tasneem Sarkez, Come to Dubai, 2024 (detail)

Tasneem Sarkez, Come to Dubai, 2024 (detail)

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Tasneem Sarkez, A.P.A.D, 2024, Oil on canvas, 50.8 x 91.4 x 4 cm (20 x 36 x 1 ⅝ in)

Tasneem Sarkez, A.P.A.D, 2024, Oil on canvas, 50.8 x 91.4 x 4 cm (20 x 36 x 1 ⅝ in)

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Tasneem Sarkez, A.P.A.D, 2024 (alternative view)

Tasneem Sarkez, A.P.A.D, 2024 (alternative view)

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Tasneem Sarkez, A.P.A.D, 2024 (detail)

Tasneem Sarkez, A.P.A.D, 2024 (detail)

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Tasneem Sarkez, Amazonian Rose, 2024, Oil and inkjet transfer on canvas, 35.6 x 45.7 cm (14 x 18 in)

Tasneem Sarkez, Amazonian Rose, 2024, Oil and inkjet transfer on canvas, 35.6 x 45.7 cm (14 x 18 in)

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Tasneem Sarkez, Amazonian Rose, 2024 (alternative view)

Tasneem Sarkez, Amazonian Rose, 2024 (alternative view)

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Tasneem Sarkez, Amazonian Rose, 2024 (detail)

Tasneem Sarkez, Amazonian Rose, 2024 (detail)

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Tasneem Sarkez, American Dream/Death Blossom, 2024, A-frame Signicade, 116.8 x 68.5 x 7.6 cm (46 x 27 x 3 in) Tasneem Sarkez, American Dream/Death Blossom, 2024, A-frame Signicade, 116.8 x 68.5 x 7.6 cm (46 x 27 x 3 in)

Tasneem Sarkez, American Dream/Death Blossom, 2024, A-frame Signicade, 116.8 x 68.5 x 7.6 cm (46 x 27 x 3 in)

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Tasneem Sarkez, American Dream/Death Blossom, 2024 (alternative view)

Tasneem Sarkez, American Dream/Death Blossom, 2024 (alternative view)

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Tasneem Sarkez, Driftless Dreamers, 2023, oil on canvas, 25.4 x 30.5 cm (10 x 12 in)

Tasneem Sarkez, Driftless Dreamers, 2023, oil on canvas, 25.4 x 30.5 cm (10 x 12 in)

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Dirt in the Eye, Gnossienne Gallery, London, UK, 2024

Dirt in the Eye, Gnossienne Gallery, London, UK, 2024

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Tasneem Sarkez, A Lion’s Words, 2023, text embedded in metal dog tags on ball chain, 37 x 6 cm (14 ⅝ x 2 ⅜ in), dimensions variable

Tasneem Sarkez, A Lion’s Words, 2023, text embedded in metal dog tags on ball chain, 37 x 6 cm (14 ⅝ x 2 ⅜ in), dimensions variable

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Tasneem Sarkez, A Lion’s Words, 2023 (detail)

Tasneem Sarkez, A Lion’s Words, 2023 (detail)

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Saccharine Symbols, Rose Easton, 16 November – 20 December 2023

Saccharine Symbols, Rose Easton, 16 November – 20 December 2023

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Tasneem Sarkez, 11:11, 2023, Oil on canvas, 35.5 x 45.7 x 2 cm (14 x 18 x ¾ in)

Tasneem Sarkez, 11:11, 2023, Oil on canvas, 35.5 x 45.7 x 2 cm (14 x 18 x ¾ in)

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Tasneem Sarkez, 11:11, 2023 (alternative view)

Tasneem Sarkez, 11:11, 2023 (alternative view)

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Tasneem Sarkez, 11:11, 2023 (detail)

Tasneem Sarkez, 11:11, 2023 (detail)

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Tasneem Sarkez, 11:11, 2023 (detail)

Tasneem Sarkez, 11:11, 2023 (detail)

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Tasneem Sarkez, Good Morning, 2023, Oil on canvas, 76 x 76 x 3 cm (30 x 30 x 1 ⅛ in)

Tasneem Sarkez, Good Morning, 2023, Oil on canvas, 76 x 76 x 3 cm (30 x 30 x 1 ⅛ in)

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Tasneem Sarkez, Good Morning, 2023 (alternative view)

Tasneem Sarkez, Good Morning, 2023 (alternative view)

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Tasneem Sarkez, Good Morning, 2023 (detail)

Tasneem Sarkez, Good Morning, 2023 (detail)

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Tasneem Sarkez, Good Morning, 2023 (detail)

Tasneem Sarkez, Good Morning, 2023 (detail)

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Tasneem Sarkez, Good Morning, 2023 (detail)

Tasneem Sarkez, Good Morning, 2023 (detail)

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Saccharine Symbols, Rose Easton, 16 November – 20 December 2023

Saccharine Symbols, Rose Easton, 16 November – 20 December 2023

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Saccharine Symbols, Rose Easton, 16 November – 20 December 2023

Saccharine Symbols, Rose Easton, 16 November – 20 December 2023

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Tasneem Sarkez, Chessboard, 2022, Laser etched acrylic, 30 x 30 cm (11 ¾ x 11 ¾ in)

Tasneem Sarkez, Chessboard, 2022, Laser etched acrylic, 30 x 30 cm (11 ¾ x 11 ¾ in)

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Tasneem Sarkez, Chessboard, 2022 (alternative view)

Tasneem Sarkez, Chessboard, 2022 (alternative view)

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Tasneem Sarkez, Chessboard, 2022 (detail)

Tasneem Sarkez, Chessboard, 2022 (detail)

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Saccharine Symbols, Rose Easton, 16 November – 20 December 2023

Saccharine Symbols, Rose Easton, 16 November – 20 December 2023

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