Mahmoud Nasr in Damascus, oil on canvas, 2021.
International Cultural Show, Malaysia.
About Me
I’m Yusser Al-Qazwini, a self-taught artist whose creative journey has been shaped by different cultures, places, and experiences.
Born in Algeria to Iraqi parents and raised in Libya, I later moved to Malaysia for my university studies, where I earned a PhD in Fiber-optics Engineering. In 2016, I moved to the United States, beginning another chapter in both my personal and artistic journey.
My art is deeply influenced by my cultural background, the stories and traditions passed down through my family, and the places I have encountered throughout my life. I primarily work in oil and acrylic, while also exploring other media and artistic forms.
My artistic journey began with my first solo exhibition at Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2010. Since then, I have participated in group exhibitions in Malaysia, the Philippines, Iraq, Canada, and the United States. Alongside my personal artistic practice, I have also taken on commissioned work, live art, collaborations, and public art projects that allow me to connect with different communities and audiences.
ART, CULTURE & STORYTELLING
I am drawn to the stories behind people, places, and experiences. Whether I am painting a landscape, creating a commissioned portrait, capturing a meaningful celebration through live painting, or exploring cultural traditions through handcrafted work, I look for ways to transform those stories into something visual and lasting.
My background in performance has also shaped the way I think about art. As a student, I had the opportunity to perform in theaters in Libya, an experience that deepened my appreciation for storytelling, expression, and connecting with an audience. That interest in storytelling continues today through my artwork, writing, and visual content.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
- Summer Open Exhibition, West Portal Gallery, San Francisco, CA — 2026
- Overtime: The Work of Living, genArts, San Jose, CA — 2026
- Afterlife, Mexican Heritage Plaza, San Jose, CA — 2025
- Freedom: The Future of Hope — Honorable Mention, South SF Public Library, CA — 2025
- Stop the Hate — First Prize, EPA Art Center, CA — 2024
- What’s Cookin’? — Juror Award, Palo Alto Art Center, CA — 2024
- The 37th Annual Emeryville Art Exhibition, Public Market Emeryville, CA —2023
- The 36th Annual Emeryville Art Exhibition, Public Market Emeryville, CA — 2022
- Hear Us by Female Artists, Riverside Art Center, Ypsilanti, MI — 2019
- Art Now 2019 — Honorable Mention, Ann Arbor Art Center, MI — 2019
- Hay El Iraqia, Mississauga, Canada — 2018
- Around the World Embassy Tour, Embassy of Iraq, Washington DC — 2017
- ERTI 3.0 — Most Liked Painting Award, University Malaya, KL, Malaysia — 2015
- ARTMALAYSIA Art Tourism Fair AATF, VIVA Expo Hall, KL, Malaysia — 2014Malaysia, 2013
- International Women’s Day Exhibition, KL, Malaysia — 2013
- Larong Kayle by AKP, the SM Mall of Asia, Philippines — 2011
- Solo Exhibition, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia — 2010
Alongside my commissioned and event work, I continue to develop my own artistic practice through personal projects, exhibitions, collaborations, and public art. Each experience gives me an opportunity to explore new ideas, strengthen my skills, and continue growing as an artist.
For me, art is a way of preserving what matters, a person, a place, a memory, or a feeling and giving it a lasting form.
