Sherif Hakeem is a Los Angeles based fine art wildlife portraitist who works in charcoal. His art was recently accepted into the prestigious Society of Animal Artists and in an art exhibition at Art 4 Apes gallery, a Florida Not For Profit Corporation. His work has also appeared on well-known websites including ArtsyShark.com.
As the curator of the “Our Bond With Nature” online art exhibition I chose Sherif Hakeem’s art to be included. His powerful portraits of wildlife had an immediate visceral impact on me and reflected the purpose of our theme. I was also impressed by his technical abilities and attention to detail in the style of Hyperrealism.
Hakeem also won my Special Recognition Featured Artist Award based on the purpose behind his art, and his campaign titled, “Fine Art for Awareness”. It promotes awareness of endangered wildlife and abused animals that need saving. His goal is to raise as much support as possible by selling his artwork while he donates a minimum of 20% to sanctuaries and conservation organizations that advocate for endangered wildlife and abused animals.
Hakeem supports several non-profits, including Art 4 Apes and explains, “I support Art 4 Apes because this non-profit helps promote primates by donating proceeds from artwork exhibited and sold in their art gallery to help raise awareness to the cause.” He is an exhibiting artist in their gallery in Miami, Florida, with his piece entitled, “Owl Monkey 1”.
About another organization that receives his aid he writes, “I support Save the Chimps because they provide sanctuary and exemplary care to chimps in need. They provide safety, privacy, lifetime care, freedom from exploitation, and the best captive care possible to chimps who live in the sanctuary.”
Hakeem also supports the Wildlife Conservation Society because, “they work to conserve the world’s largest wild places which is home to more than 50% of the world’s biodiversity. The work that these organizations do for wildlife is reason enough to know why it is important to do our part as humans to help those who cannot help themselves.”
To create his stunning works of art Hakeem uses a white charcoal pencil, rough black archival paper, and a kneaded eraser with some soft brushes for soft tones. This drawing medium allows him to play with the contrast of light and helps him to achieve certain desired effects similar to those in works by Caravaggio and Masaccio. The artist explains, “I’ve taken my cue from these artists because of how they render their subjects in such a deep and emotional way simply through the use of contrast of light and dark.”
Hakeem says he uses minimal drawing tools and “no special technique other than to draw what I see and render each shape, tone, gradation, in its true form.” He explains, “I feel it brings out the best artist in me to represent them in the most realest way I can to do them justice.”
Since he was very young Hakeem has had an affinity for, and an unquenchable interest in, wildlife and domestic animals. He feels a responsibility to use his creative gift so that his domestic animal and wildlife subjects are not forgotten.
He reminds us, “there is something intrinsically captivating and enthralling about the true nature of animals. They do not hide their emotions and they lay their very being in view for the world to see in its rawest form.”
I encourage you to visit Sherif Hakeem’s website, purchase his art and join him in his cause.
Visit Sherif Hakeem’s website: fineartforawareness.com
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