Anwar Mahdi was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs from a Filipino mother and an Arab father, they navigate their queer identity and Eastern cultures in a society that has constantly alienated them. They focus on retelling their story of abuse, and discrimination by projecting themself onto divine beings, fusing mythological narratives with events in their life in hopes of destroying and challenging patriarchal conservative ideals, thus releasing a new age filled with divine queer beings. Anwar attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting and drawing.
Headshot credit: Janani Nathan
Image: Anwar Mahdi, Siren Song, 2024, watercolor and color pencil on paper, 18” x 23.5”