Launching his career in Damascus shortly after the outbreak of the conflict in Syria, Abdalla Al Omari’s recent paintings describe the experiences of civilians, particularly children, who are caught in the crossfires of war.
Omari graduated from the University of Damascus with a degree in English Literature while also attending the Adham Ismail Institute for Visual Arts. Later, he worked with pioneering Syrian artists Ghassan Sibai and Fouad Dahdouh.
Based in Belgium, where he began the internationally renowned project The Vulnerability series 2017. He also works in video and performance art. Recently exhibited The Boat artwork at Gangwon International Biennale 2018 South Korea, titled "The Dictionary of Evil", the Cultural event directly linked to Winter Olympic Games 2018. Presented alongside other international artists including : Thomas Hirschhorn,Tammam Azzam, Akram Zaatari. The Boat was also exhibited earlier in Kiev during YES conference's exhibition curated by PinchukArtCentre, along with internationally renowned artists like Marina Abramovic, Santiago Sierra, Andreas Gursky, Damien Ortega and others.
Recent exhibitions for the artist include Gangwon Biennale South Korea, Pinchuk Art center Kiev, Ayyam Gallery Dubai, Affenfaust Gallery Hamburg, Institut du Monde Arabe Paris, Kusseneers Gallery Brussels, Strombeck Cultural Center Belgium (2017); NW Gallery, United Kingdom (2015); Kozah Gallery, Lebanon (2014); and Berlin Biennale (2012).
"Fraught with emotion, Omari’s oil on canvas compositions tackle complex psychological states, yet retain a profound beauty through their painterly application and realistic portrayal."
His paintings are housed in the collections of Barjeel Art Foundation UAE, Ayyam Gallery UAE, Fenix Immigration Museum Rotterdam, Kamel Gallery Damascus, the ministry of culture, Syria, among others worldwide.