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Gallery Riyas Komu

Doubletake

Painted in his famously photographic or hyper-realist style, Riyas Komu’s portraits of migrantsfrom different countries and lines of workin Gulf cities force the viewer to do a doubletake. What does it mean to conceal the painterliness of these images behind the appearance of their smooth and almost mechanically producedsurfaces? Some of his figures are depictedgazing into the distanceagainst a metallic blue background, perhapsthe cloudless sky of their desert clime. Others seem to be looking at a camera with the familiar poses and expressions of photographed subjects the world over.

Portrait of Ali Gul

Ali Gul

Ali Ghul is 40 years old from Pakistan. He has been working for 8 years as loading-unloading employee, in Dubai (UAE). Painting detail: oil on canvas, 60 x 42 inches, year: 2020

© Riyas Komu

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Portrait of Sawwan Salameh

Sawsan Salameh

Sawsan Salameh is a 45 years old Syrian woman. She has been working for 19 years, in Sharjah (UAE). Painting detail: oil on canvas, 60 x 42 inches, year: 2020

© Riyas Komu

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Portrait of Samuel

Samuel

Samuel is 28 years old from Ethiopia. He has been working for 4 years, as a salesperson, in Dubai (UAE). Painting detail: oil on canvas, 60 x 42 inches, year: 2020

© Riyas Komu

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Portrait of Phillipines

April Agunday

April Agunday is a registered Nurse from the Philippines. She works in Abu Dhabi. Painting detail: oil on canvas, 60 x 42 inches, year: 2020

© Riyas Komu

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Portrait of Yam Kaucha

Yam Kaucha

Yam Kaucha is 29 years old from Nepal. He has been working in a shipping company in Dubai (UAE) for seven years. Painting detail: oil on canvas, 60 x 42 inches, year: 2020

© Riyas Komu

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Portrait of Lita Mathews

Lita Mathews

Lita Mathews is 39 years old from Kerala, India. She has been an art teacher for 15 years. Painting detail: oil on canvas, 48 x 36 inches, year: 2020

© Riyas Komu

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Portrait of Stella John

Stella John

Stella John is a fashion model from Nigera. She has two teenage sons and lives and works in Dubai. Painting detail: oil on canvas, 48 x 36 inches, year: 2020

© Riyas Komu

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Portrait of Nnadi Benjamin Annie

Nnadi Benjamin Annie

Nnadi Benjamin Annie is 39 years old from Nigeria. He has been working in Retail business for 4 years in Dubai (UAE). Painting detail: oil on canvas, 48 x 36 inches, year: 2020

© Riyas Komu

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