David Najib Kasir Paintings

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Milwaukee, WI
David Najib Kasir Paintings

David Najib Kasir is contemporary oil-painter living and working in Milwaukee, WI.

David's work is comprised of personal narrative and surrounds the act of coming to terms with the challenges of fami

08/25/2026

Sliman Mansour passed yesterday, and I couldn’t help but reflect on the weight of his Arab artists around the world, including myself. So many artists will write artist statements claiming how their work is an act of resistance, without ever understanding what resistance really is. Sliman Mansour was that resistance. And his work held more power than most artists combined in their idea in resistance, including my own. I hope his resistance influences yours as it has mine. Born one year before the nakba, Rest in Peace & Freedom.
Also, disappointed in major art publications like ARTnews Art Forearm and others, for not taking the time to share and reflect on this great artist’s passing

08/19/2026

In this ridiculous career we call art, there are always rejections. And if you’re lucky and hardworking, some of those rejections or “not selected” come with the great honor of being in the conversation among the best artists working. Among all the accolades and rejections, value those who value the work and help it continue to get recognition that you work for as you keep working

08/03/2026

Just over ten years ago, I created a sale for my figure paintings and donated thousands of dollars to help Syrian Refugees during the civil war. And almost three years ago, I did the same and donated thousands to Gaza. In the past week and half, I’ve painted several more. All paintings are 6x8” framed and very affordable at $85. Please share and DM me if interested.

07/28/2026

This week, my baby ames ♌️🧿 graduates college, “university” as they say in New Zealand. I am not able to be there in person to see her walk to the stage to get her degree, but I will be watching it live with my family. Amèlie graduates with honors, and I couldn’t be prouder of all her hard work. I remember helping her with her homework when she was very young, and telling her that she was smarter than she thinks or gives herself credit for. This week, and throughout her post academic life, she’ll prove me right. Which also means her Baba was smart enough to know how brilliant she’d become. I love you habibit albi.
When she was small, I’d be driving and whenever this Peter Bjorn And John song would come on the radio, I’d look behind me and Amèlie would be swinging her legs and bopping her head. Every time I hear this song, I can still see those small legs in the backseat having fun to the sound.
painting in progress

07/07/2026

Land in Fractions + Sums in Rooted Watermelon Hearts (2026).
Between the layers of the floral designs and the geometric shapes, I have made the series a bit challenging to see the paintings/ environment behind the patterns. While submitting these works for awards, nominations and exhibitions, I imagine others might not know what they’re looking at first glance. So I thought I’d make a piece that widens the shapes in order for a better view of the environment. I might be making it too easy to make out in this piece but I still like it. Maybe it’s okay to make it easier on your audience (at least for this one time)

06/30/2026

After a long mishap in address delivery, i finally received my copy of New American Paintings (NAP) the other week, featuring my work. Very proud to be among all the other talented artists also featured. I am a bit disappointed that my painting commissioned for the Baird Center was printed darker than the painting is and the file I sent, but happy to be among the pages of extraordinary work. Scroll to view the work in its real form and color

06/22/2026

I’ve been thinking of the new Obama Presidential Library that recently opened in my hometown city of Chicago. I visited a few presidential libraries and hope to visit this new one sometime soon, mainly because I find them as a document to be interesting. And I see some amazing artists have made some amazing works for the institution. Some of those artists are friends and very proud and happy. But I then thought, what would I do if I were an artist chosen to create works for the library? What would I choose to do? I would probably paint a portrait of an Arab family surrounded by decorative Arab floral designs and deadly US Drones. Symbolizing the hundreds and hundreds of civilians murdered under his command. I know we live at a moment where we are witnessing pure evil and chaos coming out of the White House, and I know everyone misses Obama. But liberals should not be whitewashing or excusing his war crimes that also helped get us where we are today. Attacks that also had an effect during the Arab Spring, Iraq and the Syrian Civil War and throughout the region. I encourage everyone to look up his drone policies and the effects it had on the region and our military policies. I say all this as someone who voted twice for him. We often talk about how blind the other side becomes to every single thing their party or leaders do. It’s important for “liberals” to not fall into that worship and hold everyone accountable. Especially when they are on your side

06/15/2026

Thank you to the city and community of Milwaukee. Last week I was honored to receive the Mildred L Harpole Artist of the Year Award. I was awkwardly led to the podium to give a speech that I did not know I was supposed to have. I wish I had known to prepare myself with something written. It was a deer in the headlights moment. I regret not acknowledging and thanking my family for the years of support. My mom who would draw my He-Man and other action toys with me. But most of all I regret forgetting to thank my two kids who are no longer kids. They are the real reasons that made me a better artist. I often say, I didn’t really know how to paint until I became a father. Every painting I make was able to be opened, because of them.
My sister thought it was funny that I received an award from the city, only then to lecture them. But I decided to stay and live in the city of Milwaukee to raise my family and build my studio practice because of how affordable it was. Because we as artists were helping the city grow. But as we did so, the city became a lot more expensive and harder to afford as artist. The city needs to buy art. To allow us to financially thrive and survive to create in this city. Wisconsin is near dead last in arts funding. Programs need to be implemented for us, if the city want to retain our talent and continue to build and grow.
Studio pics be 📸 Abi Grace

06/09/2026

Land in Laws of Exponents of Bones x Blood = Seeds (2026).
Today I receive an award by the city of Milwaukee for my work. Recently my work and I have received quite a few awards/ acknowledgements/ nominations (more on all this later). And I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has supported and recognized the work that I do. I always appreciate the relationships I’ve made through my practice and genuinely feel grateful for everyone’s recognition of each piece I have made over the many years.
Thank you

Address

Milwaukee, WI

Website

http://Davidnajibkasir.com/

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