OPEN Gallery is excited to announce the arrival of our first international resident, Mohamed Akacha. Akacha is a Tunisian-born artist, studied his craft in his native Tunisia, and at the Accademia di Belle Arti L’Aquilla in L’Aquilla, Italy.

Akacha will be in residency at OPEN from February through May 2016, preparing for a solo exhibition — curated by Amira Karaoud — of his paintings from April 22 through Kentucky Derby weekend. Akacha’s paintings reflect his experiences and observations within our culture, weaving satire and social commentary into every piece, from his traditional canvass works, to the special sculptures designed exclusively for this showing at OPEN.

Over 30 pieces will be on exhibit, including a collaborative audio/visual installation depicting Nelson Mandela and the New Year's 2016 bombing of Kamishli, Syria, a painting of the Selma to Montgomery civil rights march, and two wooden sculptures representing the two major political parties in the United States.

The exhibition will open with a free live event on April 22 at 7 p.m.