Despots Of The Present

Overview
I was commissioned to design the poster and flyer postcards for 'Portrait of a Uprising', an exhibition by the Syrian artist Abdul Raheem Yassir, curated by Yallah Arabi and part of the RECLAIM platform. The exhibition confronts the trauma of war and displacement through expressive, figurative work rooted in the Syrian revolution.

Concept
The key visual was built around one of Yassir’s powerful photographs, blending protest, mourning, and resilience. The design intentionally gave the artwork space to dominate, with restrained typography and a muted palette that preserved the rawness and urgency of the original piece. The tone was respectful, unfiltered, and emotionally direct.

Execution

Designed a large-format exhibition poster featuring Yassir’s art
Created flyer postcards for distribution across cultural spaces
Maintained a minimal, modular layout to adapt across print and digital formats
Collaborated with the curatorial team to align design with the political and cultural context

Impact
The printed materials helped amplify the artist’s voice beyond the gallery space, bringing the message of resistance and remembrance into public view. The exhibition became part of a larger platform of artistic and political discourse around revolution, exile, and memory.

Poster design for an exhibition about the reality of the Syrian war. I was commissioned to design the key visual for the show, using one of the artist's pieces.

Exhibition
'Despots Of The Present'

Role
Visual Designer (Freelance)

Project
Key Visual, Poster & Flyer Design

Client
Yallah Arabi

Link to
Project

Client: Yallah Arabi
Role: Designer
Tools: Adobe Illustrator, InDesign & Photohop