Alex Khabbazi | Endless Hissing and Hold Tight

Balancing feelings of both hope and despair, these recent prints by architect turned artist Alex Khabbazi evoke memories of chaotic world news and lockdown anxiety. The series draws influence from varied sources, from stop signs to folk art, and combines digital processes with elements of screen printing.

An emerging artist from London, Alex left his previous career as an architectural designer behind to dedicate himself to art. “I made the switch just before the first lockdown because I wanted to pursue a less restrained kind of art than architecture,” says the designer. Today, he explores the relationship between line, colour, and typography through his artwork. These graphic experiments seamlessly combine digital and physical techniques to create singular, vivid artworks. Since taking the leap, Alex has made a mark on the art and design community, being featured in publications such as The Sunday Times, Monocle Magazine, Livingetc, and AIGA Eye on Design.

Hissing and Hold Tight take inspiration from the feelings of hope or despair (often both) that come from observing world news, particularly over the last few years, representing the hectic landscape of promise and disaster that we’re all unwillingly in the middle of. Alex states; “This is where the ‘hook’ of the prints comes from – the underlying emotions being conveyed”. Aesthetically, he was influenced by studying street signs and warning signs in his local area.

Released with Rise Art, the limited edition prints are signed and numbered, with only 35 to ever be produced.