Salim Parbtani

I am an artist as well as a medical student. Although they often contrast, I think that the two disciplines go hand-in-hand. Medicine tries to explain the human endeavor and art tries to capture it. Being able to study both allows me to create a clearer picture. I found my passion for art while learning how to use my hands. I taught myself how to cut hair in high school and soon I was marketing cheap, but quality haircuts through my university dorm room. My interests in visual arts began by being a fan of other artists. I developed an interest in art exhibits and enjoyed examining the different styles of work. Those galleries became my own informal education in art. Soon, I was studying great artists such as Andy Warhol, Francis Bacon, and Jean-Michel Basquiat in my own time. Although I was impressed by their paintings, I was more intrigued by their unique personalities and creative processes. Eventually, I found myself experimenting and trying to recreate some of those styles and creative techniques. My work today focuses on human expression; I want my art to tell a story. My influences come from Hip Hop, pop culture, and people who suffer from illness. I have a unique vantage point when creating and this allows me to present an a...