Rayed Mohamed

Rayed Mohamed (b. 1986, Yemen) is a self-taught artist whose intricate, densely patterned works emerge from a continuous practice of repetitive mark-making. Mohamed came to the United States from Yemen as a child and now lives in Staten Island, working daily in his Brooklyn studio. He creates primarily with acrylic paint pens and Sharpies, bringing his whole body into the process. His process is intensely physical and immersive, he often works with his face touching the paper, sometimes picking up traces of the materials on his skin. To select colors, he brings each paint pen close to his face, engaging both sight and smell, which are integral parts of his sensory connection to the work. He frequently listens to pop music while drawing, occasionally breaking into spontaneous dance before returning to the page. He works almost constantly, both in the studio and at home, often continuing until he falls asleep mid-work.

His work was acquired by The Museum of Modern Art in 2021.