This section presents the artworks created by Abed Abdi during his academic years in East Germany from 1965 to 1972. After studying German in Leipzig for one year, Abdi was admitted to the Hochschule für Bildende Künste (Academy of Fine Arts) in Dresden, where he spent six formative years immersed in technical training, artistic exploration, and cultural dialogue.
During this period, Abdi developed a close friendship with the prominent German-Jewish artist and Holocaust survivor Lea Grundig, who became his mentor. As Tal Ben Zvi notes in the chapter The Holocaust and the Nakba, “The two shared a political worldview shaped by trauma and resistance, and a visual language forged from shared histories of persecution and solidarity.”
These years in East Germany marked a transformation in Abdi’s work, combining the aesthetic discipline of academic realism with a deepening of political consciousness and symbolic storytelling — themes that continue to define his legacy in Palestinian art.
Fifty years have elapsed since the conclusion of my academic studies and residency in East Germany, and I can confidently assert that this period stands as the most pivotal phase in my creative journey. During my time there, I immersed myself in the richness of my Islamic civilization, delving into the world of miniature arts and intricate Arabesque designs. However, what truly left an indelible mark on my artistic soul was my profound fascination with Germany’s history, especially the works of its renowned Renaissance masters such as Albrecht Dürer and Matthias Grünewald. Their artistry and subject matters profoundly inspired me, and to this day, their influence accompanies me.
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My stay in Germany became a significant leap that propelled my artistic development. It kindled a passion and love for the art of the German past, a sentiment that continues to fuel my creative pursuits. The encounter with Islamic heritage and the exploration of German art intertwined, shaping the trajectory of my artistic expression from that point onward./span>
As I reflect on those formative years, I am reminded of the lasting impact they had on my artistry. The fusion of Islamic and German influences has become an integral part of my identity as an artist, infusing my works with a unique and harmonious blend of cultural motifs
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In essence, my time in East Germany became a transformative experience that has enriched my creative process, and I am immensely grateful for the profound inspiration I gained during that period. It serves as a constant companion in my artistic journey, imbuing my work with a deep sense of connection to both Islamic heritage and the legacy of the great German masters.
〡1950’s 〡 1960’s (A)〡1960’s (B) 〡 1970’s 〡 1980’s 〡 1990’s 〡 2000’s 〡 Latest Artworks (2009- today) 〡Memory Drawers 〡Monuments 〡Land Day Monument〡Environmental Sculptures〡Silk Screen Prints 〡Lithography Prints〡Woodcut Prints 〡Book Covers 〡 Political Cartoons〡 Books and Albums〡The Chokako Collection〡Prints on Canvas 〡
