Esteban Raheem Abdul Raheem Samayoa Puts Community First in 'Blood Be Water'
Opening at the Institute of Contemporary Art San José in March.
A sense of sincerity bleeds from Esteban Raheem Abdul Raheem Samayoa’s artworks. From ethereal airbrush and charcoal compositions to raw ceramic and multi-media works, each of Samayoa’s pieces find iridescent life in narratives of nostalgia and resilience.
Following presentations at Good Mother Gallery and pt.2, Samayoa is gearing up for Blood Be Water, his upcoming exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art San José (ICA San José). In his first institutional solo, the Oakland-based pays homage to the forces that shaped him: muralist language, his Mexican-Guatemalan heritage and the community that believed in him every step of the way.
The title stems from the saying “blood is thicker than water,” which prioritizes inherited familial bonds over other relationships. Rather, Blood Be Water pushes back against this idea and highlights the power of community and chosen family. Evoking ancestral ties, transient memories and the shifting tides of identity, Samayoa’s creative approach is animated by the many lineages and lived experiences that made him who he is.
Taking inspiration from the biblical act of turning water into wine, the artist explores transformation as a sacred force. “I believe we create out of passion and survival,” the artist told Hypeart, citing the act of creation as his constant in an ever-changing world. “Any redirections are just a part of adaptation as an artist. I can only trust that the work will speak to people and I can make it to the next day.”
“I want people to feel more compassion and mercy towards one another. Blood be Water was such a collaborative effort and my community did it off just love and belief of my vision. It’s important to me that people see the possibilities one can do by working together. I understand it’s my time right now but soon it’s my time to give back and push this message forward.”
The exhibition will be on view from March 22 through August 24.
ICA San José
560 S 1st St,
San Jose, CA 95113
