FARAS HAIDAR - BEHIND THE RULER’S SMILE

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€ 25
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Maurizio Buquicchio
Expert
Selected by Maurizio Buquicchio

Holds a master's degree in film and visual arts; experienced curator, writer, and researcher.

Gallery Estimate  € 1,500 - € 1,800
DE
€25
IT
€20
DE
€7

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FARAS HAIDAR’s 2026 original, hand-signed mixed-media painting BEHIND THE RULER’S SMILE is made with permanent marker and acrylic on canvas.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

FARAS HAIDAR — BEHIND THE RULER’S SMILE, 2026
Unique Original Artwork — Permanent Marker and Acrylic on Canvas — 50 × 55 × 1 cm

A monumental yellow face dominates Behind the Ruler’s Smile. Surrounded by a vivid orange halo, its mismatched eyes and sharp triangular teeth transform an apparently welcoming expression into something mysterious and unsettling.

Around this central presence, fantastical creatures, patterned forms and smaller human-like figures inhabit an intensely coloured world of blue, turquoise, red, pink and green. Every section of the canvas contains a character, symbol or hidden interaction waiting to be discovered.
The smile as a mask
Faras Haidar uses the contrast between playful imagery and psychological tension to explore the distance between the appearance of protection and the reality of control.

According to the artist’s interpretation, the figures below exist within a world shaped by rules, uniforms and conformity, while those above appear to experience greater freedom. The central smile becomes a mask through which unequal power presents itself as kindness and benevolence.

Behind its vivid colours and imaginative characters, the painting raises a serious question: who is allowed to move freely, and who is expected simply to obey?
A densely constructed visual world
Permanent marker defines the composition’s intricate contours, expressive faces and interconnected details, while acrylic gives each character a powerful chromatic presence.

The dominant central figure creates an immediate impact. Closer observation reveals numerous secondary stories: faces emerge from patterns, imaginary creatures interact and apparently separate figures reveal unexpected connections.

This combination of accessibility and symbolic depth is central to Faras Haidar’s visual language. Humour, imagination and colour become instruments for exploring individuality, authority, belonging and social inequality.
About the artist
Faras Haidar is an emerging Indonesian visual artist whose vibrant, doodle-based practice explores individuality, coexistence, imagination and hope. Based in Langkaplancar, Pangandaran, West Java, he develops his artistic voice through experimentation and mentorship at Dapur Seni Agus Zimo.

His compositions combine bold graphic lines, vivid colours and densely interconnected characters. Each figure retains its own identity while contributing to the collective energy of the whole, expressing the belief that difference enriches a community.

Faras participated in Pameran Drawing ARTSIAFRICA #2: Wajah Manusia Asia Afrika at Galeri Pusat Kebudayaan in Bandung. His work is presented internationally by Abstract Art Gallery, Riga.
Artwork details
- Artist: Faras Haidar
- Title: Behind the Ruler’s Smile
- Year: 2026
- Medium: Permanent marker and acrylic on canvas
- Dimensions: 50 × 55 × 1 cm
- Rarity: Unique original artwork — 1/1
- Condition: New; excellent original studio condition
- Signature: Hand-signed on the front and reverse
- Reverse: Title, year, medium, dimensions, artwork reference and an original handwritten message
- Reference: AAG-FRS-2026-BTRS-001
- Frame: Not included
- Provenance: Directly from the artist through Abstract Art Gallery, Riga
- Certificates: Two Certificates of Authenticity included—one issued by the artist and one by Abstract Art Gallery
- Guarantee: Lifetime authenticity and provenance guarantee provided by Abstract Art Gallery
- Collector support: Lifetime gallery assistance regarding documentation, conservation and presentation
Delivery
The artwork will be professionally prepared and shipped with tracking and full transport insurance. Both Certificates of Authenticity will accompany the artwork.

Presented by Abstract Art Gallery, Riga.

Behind the Ruler’s Smile is a visually joyful yet psychologically charged work in which colour and imagination reveal the hidden structures of authority.

Seller's Story

ABSTRACT ART GALLERY Abstract, sculptural & contemporary paintings — Unique artworks — Lifetime guarantee — Worldwide free shipping Fast dispatch from Riga International Airport within 24 to 48 hours after order confirmation. Delivery time then depends on the collector's country and the international carrier. Every artwork is carefully packaged, accompanied by its certificate of authenticity, and benefits from a lifetime guarantee. The gallery is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via Catawiki messaging for any advice, tracking, or information. For collectors, resellers and galleries: artworks can be held by the gallery, perfectly stored and ready. Gift packaging, certificate, artwork message, and custom dedication included. Direct shipping to your client available on request. Abstract Art Gallery (SIA Positive International Art) is a contemporary art gallery founded in 2010, based in Riga, Latvia, specialising in contemporary abstraction, sculptural minimalism, and in-depth research on materials, textures, and depth. The gallery represents a curated roster of contemporary artists, each bringing a distinct technique and artistic language — from acrylic pouring and sculptural relief to mixed media on canvas and 3D acrylic-resin work. Every artist is selected for their commitment to material research, craftsmanship, and long-term artistic integrity. Types of works available The gallery offers exclusively original contemporary artworks, carefully selected, including abstract minimalist works, textured and sculptural compositions, relief and 3D pieces, and large-scale wall pieces with strong architectural presence. Custom commissions are available upon request across the gallery's roster of artists. Any format, dimension, or colour palette that can be conceived and realised can be created, tailored precisely to your space and vision. Standard formats include 50 × 50 cm, 50 × 70 cm, 61 × 91 cm, 120 × 120 cm, 123 × 53 cm, as well as larger formats depending on the work. Depths generally range from 0.2 cm (canvas works) to 5–7 cm, and can reach up to 12 cm for certain sculptural pieces, offering a strong interaction between form, light, and space. Frames and presentation options include US Box white, US Box black, slim aluminium frame, protective transport tube for unframed canvases, and other premium finishing options available on request. Materials and Quality Works are created using high-end materials selected across Europe, with particular attention given to quality, stability, and longevity. Depending on the artist and the piece, the gallery uses premium wood supports, professional-grade canvas, fine acrylic pigments, natural fibers, resin, and finishes selected for their long-term resistance. Each work is presented with careful attention to detail, finish, and presentation. Expertise and Artistic Vision Abstract Art Gallery stands apart through a curatorial approach that combines artistic sensitivity with material research — continuous exploration of texture, pigment, matter, and light across its artists' practices. Works are designed to integrate into modern interiors, architectural spaces, executive offices, hotels, galleries, and private collections, while maintaining a strong artistic identity. For Collectors Works offered by the gallery are conceived as genuine artistic investments, with high durability, museum-level quality, and an aesthetic designed to transcend time. Shipping is free worldwide, carefully protected and insured, and every work benefits from a lifetime guarantee on colour fastness and material quality under normal exhibition conditions. Custom commissions are welcome. Whether you have a specific size, a particular colour palette, or a precise vision for your space, our artists can create a work tailored exactly to what you have in mind. Contact us via Catawiki messaging to discuss your project. Abstract Art Gallery Contemporary Art — Sculptural & Abstract Works — Multiple Represented Artists Gallery Quality — Artistic Research — Excellence in Materials
Translated by Google Translate

FARAS HAIDAR — BEHIND THE RULER’S SMILE, 2026
Unique Original Artwork — Permanent Marker and Acrylic on Canvas — 50 × 55 × 1 cm

A monumental yellow face dominates Behind the Ruler’s Smile. Surrounded by a vivid orange halo, its mismatched eyes and sharp triangular teeth transform an apparently welcoming expression into something mysterious and unsettling.

Around this central presence, fantastical creatures, patterned forms and smaller human-like figures inhabit an intensely coloured world of blue, turquoise, red, pink and green. Every section of the canvas contains a character, symbol or hidden interaction waiting to be discovered.
The smile as a mask
Faras Haidar uses the contrast between playful imagery and psychological tension to explore the distance between the appearance of protection and the reality of control.

According to the artist’s interpretation, the figures below exist within a world shaped by rules, uniforms and conformity, while those above appear to experience greater freedom. The central smile becomes a mask through which unequal power presents itself as kindness and benevolence.

Behind its vivid colours and imaginative characters, the painting raises a serious question: who is allowed to move freely, and who is expected simply to obey?
A densely constructed visual world
Permanent marker defines the composition’s intricate contours, expressive faces and interconnected details, while acrylic gives each character a powerful chromatic presence.

The dominant central figure creates an immediate impact. Closer observation reveals numerous secondary stories: faces emerge from patterns, imaginary creatures interact and apparently separate figures reveal unexpected connections.

This combination of accessibility and symbolic depth is central to Faras Haidar’s visual language. Humour, imagination and colour become instruments for exploring individuality, authority, belonging and social inequality.
About the artist
Faras Haidar is an emerging Indonesian visual artist whose vibrant, doodle-based practice explores individuality, coexistence, imagination and hope. Based in Langkaplancar, Pangandaran, West Java, he develops his artistic voice through experimentation and mentorship at Dapur Seni Agus Zimo.

His compositions combine bold graphic lines, vivid colours and densely interconnected characters. Each figure retains its own identity while contributing to the collective energy of the whole, expressing the belief that difference enriches a community.

Faras participated in Pameran Drawing ARTSIAFRICA #2: Wajah Manusia Asia Afrika at Galeri Pusat Kebudayaan in Bandung. His work is presented internationally by Abstract Art Gallery, Riga.
Artwork details
- Artist: Faras Haidar
- Title: Behind the Ruler’s Smile
- Year: 2026
- Medium: Permanent marker and acrylic on canvas
- Dimensions: 50 × 55 × 1 cm
- Rarity: Unique original artwork — 1/1
- Condition: New; excellent original studio condition
- Signature: Hand-signed on the front and reverse
- Reverse: Title, year, medium, dimensions, artwork reference and an original handwritten message
- Reference: AAG-FRS-2026-BTRS-001
- Frame: Not included
- Provenance: Directly from the artist through Abstract Art Gallery, Riga
- Certificates: Two Certificates of Authenticity included—one issued by the artist and one by Abstract Art Gallery
- Guarantee: Lifetime authenticity and provenance guarantee provided by Abstract Art Gallery
- Collector support: Lifetime gallery assistance regarding documentation, conservation and presentation
Delivery
The artwork will be professionally prepared and shipped with tracking and full transport insurance. Both Certificates of Authenticity will accompany the artwork.

Presented by Abstract Art Gallery, Riga.

Behind the Ruler’s Smile is a visually joyful yet psychologically charged work in which colour and imagination reveal the hidden structures of authority.

Seller's Story

ABSTRACT ART GALLERY Abstract, sculptural & contemporary paintings — Unique artworks — Lifetime guarantee — Worldwide free shipping Fast dispatch from Riga International Airport within 24 to 48 hours after order confirmation. Delivery time then depends on the collector's country and the international carrier. Every artwork is carefully packaged, accompanied by its certificate of authenticity, and benefits from a lifetime guarantee. The gallery is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via Catawiki messaging for any advice, tracking, or information. For collectors, resellers and galleries: artworks can be held by the gallery, perfectly stored and ready. Gift packaging, certificate, artwork message, and custom dedication included. Direct shipping to your client available on request. Abstract Art Gallery (SIA Positive International Art) is a contemporary art gallery founded in 2010, based in Riga, Latvia, specialising in contemporary abstraction, sculptural minimalism, and in-depth research on materials, textures, and depth. The gallery represents a curated roster of contemporary artists, each bringing a distinct technique and artistic language — from acrylic pouring and sculptural relief to mixed media on canvas and 3D acrylic-resin work. Every artist is selected for their commitment to material research, craftsmanship, and long-term artistic integrity. Types of works available The gallery offers exclusively original contemporary artworks, carefully selected, including abstract minimalist works, textured and sculptural compositions, relief and 3D pieces, and large-scale wall pieces with strong architectural presence. Custom commissions are available upon request across the gallery's roster of artists. Any format, dimension, or colour palette that can be conceived and realised can be created, tailored precisely to your space and vision. Standard formats include 50 × 50 cm, 50 × 70 cm, 61 × 91 cm, 120 × 120 cm, 123 × 53 cm, as well as larger formats depending on the work. Depths generally range from 0.2 cm (canvas works) to 5–7 cm, and can reach up to 12 cm for certain sculptural pieces, offering a strong interaction between form, light, and space. Frames and presentation options include US Box white, US Box black, slim aluminium frame, protective transport tube for unframed canvases, and other premium finishing options available on request. Materials and Quality Works are created using high-end materials selected across Europe, with particular attention given to quality, stability, and longevity. Depending on the artist and the piece, the gallery uses premium wood supports, professional-grade canvas, fine acrylic pigments, natural fibers, resin, and finishes selected for their long-term resistance. Each work is presented with careful attention to detail, finish, and presentation. Expertise and Artistic Vision Abstract Art Gallery stands apart through a curatorial approach that combines artistic sensitivity with material research — continuous exploration of texture, pigment, matter, and light across its artists' practices. Works are designed to integrate into modern interiors, architectural spaces, executive offices, hotels, galleries, and private collections, while maintaining a strong artistic identity. For Collectors Works offered by the gallery are conceived as genuine artistic investments, with high durability, museum-level quality, and an aesthetic designed to transcend time. Shipping is free worldwide, carefully protected and insured, and every work benefits from a lifetime guarantee on colour fastness and material quality under normal exhibition conditions. Custom commissions are welcome. Whether you have a specific size, a particular colour palette, or a precise vision for your space, our artists can create a work tailored exactly to what you have in mind. Contact us via Catawiki messaging to discuss your project. Abstract Art Gallery Contemporary Art — Sculptural & Abstract Works — Multiple Represented Artists Gallery Quality — Artistic Research — Excellence in Materials
Translated by Google Translate

Details

Edition
Original
Sold by
Gallery
Sold with frame
No
Artist
FARAS HAIDAR
Technique
Acrylic painting, Mixed media
Title of artwork
BEHIND THE RULER’S SMILE
Signature
Hand signed, Signed
Country of origin
Latvia
Year
2026
Colour
Multicolour
Condition
Excellent condition
Height
50 cm
Width
55 cm
Weight
1 kg
Depiction/theme
Pop Culture
Style
Contemporary
Period
2020+
LatviaVerified
254
Objects sold
100%
protop

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