As an artist, my work delves into the themes of unity and contrast, both in the literal layering of traditional media and found materials, and in the figurative combining of the real and mythical. My paintings and collages feature a blend of landscapes, portraits, and contemporary themes, all rendered in a style that merges expressionism with the otherworldly.
Through the process of collaging and layering various media, I aim to uncover the complexities of my own identity and craft cohesive visual narratives out of fragmented elements. My work is driven by impulse, dreams, and a desire to understand the mysteries of the world around me. I often incorporate elements of the occult and queer camp, using loose, ephemeral lines and glitter, marker, and paint on gossamer craft paper to reflect the unreliable nature of observation and memory.
In each of my works, I seek to give form to my meditations, dreams, and observations, creating a diary of the psyche that strives to uncover hidden meanings and transform mundane observations into magical, metaphysical revelations. My art is an alchemical process, seeking to visually transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.
BIOGRAPHY
Adam Chamy is a multidisciplinary artist, architect, and writer based in Washington, DC. His work reflects themes of unity and contrast through the layering of traditional and found materials and the combining of real and mythical elements. Chamy's work has exhibited at venues including the United Nations East Gallery, Washington National Airport, al-Quds Gallery, Museo di Briggitano, and numerous other art spaces nationally and internationally. His art and writing has won accolades including as awardee of the Half-Light Press Short Story prize for the "The Two Halves House". His solo art show "Of Refuge, Of Home" was featured by the Washington Post's The Express and NPR's WAMU Arts Desk. As an architect, he was a part of the design team for numerous award winning projects including AIA & preservation awards for the adaptive reuse of the St. Elizabeth's mental health hospital into affordable housing at Cunningham Quill Architects and as a winner of a AIA COTE Student Award.
SELECT EXHIBITION LIST
2023 Winner & Author, "The Two Halves House", Short Story Prize, Half Light Press,, New Orleans, LA
2022, Exhibitor, Waves of Joy, Gallery Y, Washington, DC
2022, Exhibitor, Hill Center Regional Juried Exhibition, Washington, DC
2022, Semi-Finalist, Trawick Prize, Bethesda, Maryland
2022, Author, "The Cactus House", Sentience Literary Journal, Los Angeles, CA
2021 Exhibitor, Pride, Portico Gallery, Brentwood, MD
2020, Exhibitor, Art is not Optional, al-Quds Gallery, Washignton, DC
2019 Illustrator & Author, TinyQueerZine
2018, Illustrator, SuperFine! Art Fair, Washington, DC
2018, Illustrator, Two Hawks Quarterly, Antioch University, Culver City, California
2017, Exhibitor, ThinkSmall, Art Space, Richmond, Virginia
2017, Finalist ArtBank, Juried Contest for Public Art with the District of Columbia , Washington, DC
2017, Exhibitor, LookCloser, Pop-Up at Georgetown Day School, Washington, DC.
2017 Exhibitor, Hill Center Regional Juried Exhibition Washington, DC
2017 Exhibitor, “Look Closer” Georgetown Visitation, Washington, DC
2017 Exhibitor, Artomatic, Crystal City, Virginia
2016 Exhibitor, Forbidden Colors, al-Quds Gallery, Washington, DC
2015 Exhibitor, And We Have Countries, al-Quds Gallery, Washington, DC
2013 Exhibitor, League of Arab States Reception, Ronald Reagan Atrium Gallery, Washington, DC
2012 Exhibitor, “The Art of Rebellion”, Museo del Brigantaggio, Itri, Italy
2012 Exhibitor, Palestine: Memories, Dreams, Perseverance, Northeast Gallery, United Nations, New York, NY
2012 Exhibitor, Paint the Music – Live Painting at Ebenezer Coffee House
2012 Cover Illustrator and Designer for Novel: The Lost Tribes of the Alleghenies by Alan Margolis
2011, Exhibitor, Regan National Airport - "Artomatic Takes Flight"- Arlington, VA
2011 Solo Show, “Of Refuge, Of Home” al-Quds Gallery, Washington, DC
2011 Exhibitor, “Arab-American Art Exhibition”–National Arab American Professionals Network-DC
2011 Illustrator & Designer “Washington” Numbers Alive! Books for Young Travelers” by Rebecca Klemm
2011 Exhibitor, “Art” by Adam Chamy & Jessica Shull, Flying Fish Tea & Coffee, Washington, DC
2009 Exhibitor, “Just Art” GaleriaZero, Barcelona, Spain
2009 Exhibitor, “My Space on 5th”, Touchstone Gallery, Washington DC
2005, Exhibitor, "Young Masters" Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas, TX
EDUCATION
2016 Master of .Architecture / Master of Community Planning University of Maryland, College Park, MD
2009 BA George Washington University , Washington, DC
SELECT PUBLICATION + MEDIA
Half Light Press
Sentience Literary
Two Hawks Quarterly
Al-Hurrah News
Washington Post's The Express
The Washington Blade
The Dallas Morning News
The Fort Worth Star Telegram