Close Looking, an ongoing series about individual paintings, process, and the ideas that move through my work.

Close Looking

Pure, 2026, abstract painting by Christina Habibi with three floating painted forms connected by delicate graphite marks.

Close Looking No. 7: Pure

Christina Habibi

In Pure, three forms remain separate while delicate graphite marks create just enough connection between them. Continue reading →

Close Looking No. 7: Pure

Christina Habibi

In Pure, three forms remain separate while delicate graphite marks create just enough connection between them. Continue reading →

Maxxing, 2026, abstract painting by Christina Habibi with saturated red, blue, pink and yellow forms, black passages, drips and graphite marks.

Close Looking No. 6: Maxxing

Christina Habibi

In Maxxing, pleasure and unease occupy the same space, reflecting a culture where spectacle, humor, fear, and entertainment increasingly overlap. Continue reading →

Close Looking No. 6: Maxxing

Christina Habibi

In Maxxing, pleasure and unease occupy the same space, reflecting a culture where spectacle, humor, fear, and entertainment increasingly overlap. Continue reading →

Abstract painting Extra by Christina Habibi with layered blue and black forms, red spray paint drips, yellow looping lines, and fragments of handwritten text.

Close Looking No. 5: Extra

Christina Habibi

In Extra, competing forms, drips, and fragments of text create a field where no single element takes control. Continue reading →

Close Looking No. 5: Extra

Christina Habibi

In Extra, competing forms, drips, and fragments of text create a field where no single element takes control. Continue reading →

Abstract painting by Christina Habibi titled Butter, 2026, with layered green, black, red, yellow, pink, and blue forms, white looping “scribblin” marks, and handwritten text on canvas.

Close Looking No. 4: Butter

Christina Habibi

In Butter, a gesture absent from my work for nearly twenty-five years unexpectedly returns. Continue reading →

Close Looking No. 4: Butter

Christina Habibi

In Butter, a gesture absent from my work for nearly twenty-five years unexpectedly returns. Continue reading →

Pirate, 2026, abstract painting by Christina Habibi, acrylic, spray paint and oil on canvas.

Close Looking No. 3: Pirate

Christina Habibi

In Pirate, competing forms and gestures occupy the same space without falling into agreement. Continue reading →

Close Looking No. 3: Pirate

Christina Habibi

In Pirate, competing forms and gestures occupy the same space without falling into agreement. Continue reading →

Abstract painting by Christina Habibi titled Super, 2026, featuring a large red biomorphic form surrounded by layered pink, gray, black, yellow, and blue shapes, handwritten marks, drips, and gestural lines.

Close Looking No. 2: Super

Christina Habibi

In Super, a dominant red presence resists being named as marks, color, and language continually redirect what we think we see. Continue reading →

Close Looking No. 2: Super

Christina Habibi

In Super, a dominant red presence resists being named as marks, color, and language continually redirect what we think we see. Continue reading →