DIE FOR YOU
PAINTINGS BY RUBEEN SALEM
10.30.24
All I Wanted, Rubeen Salem
MY NAME IS RUBEEN SALEM.
I’M AN ARTIST CREATING
SENSUAL & EMOTIONAL ART.
Q: WHY DO YOU MAKE ART?
I create for passionate and expressive people, to visually show what’s inside us so we can feel more normal for feeling insane.
It’s a good way for me to accept my hyperactive thoughts and get them down to let go...
I hope it helps people see they’re not alone in their little made up mess in their heads.
My intention is to create really cool art that is real, authentic, inspiring. I want to inspire people to be the most themselves they can be, relentless and accepting of themselves completely. I definitely intend to create valuable art that people buy for the purpose of relating, expressing, and resonating. I want my art everywhere cool, and I want it all to be known by the right people who take it seriously like I do.
I’d like to exhibit in MoMA, the Whitney and the Met, and have it on many walls of people’s homes, original and not, and I want people to wear my art as well.
I create for passionate and expressive people, to visually show what’s inside us so we can feel more normal for feeling insane.
It’s a good way for me to accept my hyperactive thoughts and get them down to let go...
I hope it helps people see they’re not alone in their little made up mess in their heads.
My intention is to create really cool art that is real, authentic, inspiring. I want to inspire people to be the most themselves they can be, relentless and accepting of themselves completely. I definitely intend to create valuable art that people buy for the purpose of relating, expressing, and resonating. I want my art everywhere cool, and I want it all to be known by the right people who take it seriously like I do.
I’d like to exhibit in MoMA, the Whitney and the Met, and have it on many walls of people’s homes, original and not, and I want people to wear my art as well.
Die For You, Rubeen Salem
Worthy, Rubeen Salem
Q: YOU OFTEN PAINT FACELESS OR AMBIGUOUS FIGURES. DO YOU HAVE A MUSE FOR THE BODIES THAT APPEAR IN YOUR WORK?
Mystery is lucrative.
I try to create an embodiment of emotion without much detail so that people can see themselves in the piece. Our physical body isn’t as good of a tell of who we are compared to what’s inside of us. The ‘tea cup’ is symbolic of being open and accepting of other influences, particularly the Higher Powers.
How Lovely, Rubeen Salem
My Baby Needs More Diamonds, Rubeen Salem
Q: WHAT DOES YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS LOOK LIKE?
My artistic process comes with
a ‘come as you are’ mindset.
If there’s a feeling I feel that I need
to get down, I’ll try to create it ASAP
so it’s more current and authentic.
Sometimes it starts as this crazy emotionally sad piece and can
transform into something more positive after some mental work.
The paintings come first and the words second.
Sometimes it stays this sad piece and I keep that to myself, those are the more intimate pieces, but I’m pretty good about showing most of them since I know I feel good when others are as expressive and authentic.
Wyd2me, Rubeen Salem
Blue Electrious, Rubeen Salem
Q: IF YOU DIED AND WERE TO BE BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE, WHAT FIVE OBJECTS WOULD WE USE TO SUMMON YOU FROM THE DEAD?
A hand rolled light blue American Spirits cigarette.
An iced americano.
My sketchbook/journal.
A regular shmegular black bic pen.
My old beats.
A hand rolled light blue American Spirits cigarette.
An iced americano.
My sketchbook/journal.
A regular shmegular black bic pen.
My old beats.
I Well Up, Rubeen Salem
Synonyms, Rubeen Salem
Q: FAVORITE PAINTING?
My favorite of my own is my painting called Die For You, it’s super expressive and kinda vulnerable, it’s a message about how obsessive I can get. And anything by Wasilly Kadinsky, I think his paintings are so fun.
Q: FAVORITE BOOK OF POETRY?
My favorite poetry book is “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran.
It’s so beautiful and poetic and I feel like it ties into my heritage a lot.
Q: WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU IN THE ART WORLD?
I have an art show in early November and I’d love for the right people to come and support! I’m excited to be a part of some other shows for the purpose of fundraising or just fun. I’m also doing a fun clothing pop up soon and you can get updates on my insta! Thanks for the opportunity:-)
The artist in his home & studio in the Lower East Side, Manhattan.
SEE MORE OF HIS WORK
It’s Just Us, Rubeen Salem