After nearly 30 years of caring for patients and hearing their emotional distress surrounding childbirth trauma, local physician Dr. S. Abbas Shobeiri has created a series of paintings: “Do You See Me? Paintings of Postpartum Trauma and Healing” on display beginning Friday, May 5, at Dupont Underground (19 Dupont Circle NW).
Shobeiri discovered that many of the typical sentiments that childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD-C) patients have expressed over the years and matched them with stages of recovery from grief. The solo exhibit is comprised of oil and multimedia paintings and wall projections.
“I realized that these sensitive, intimate, personal and heartbreaking stories signified where a patient was psychologically in the grief recovery cycle because of PTSD-C,” Shobeiri said of his installation. “Just like my patients’ medical problems floated in my head until a solution was found, the vision of my patients’ stories floated in my consciousness like ripples of waves on the ocean. I was unsatisfied until I found an outlet in a painting that accurately conveyed my patients’ feelings.”
Dupont Underground is a locally based arts organization that transformed an abandoned space in Dupont Circle into a platform for artistic expression with a focus on reflecting the diversity of the community. CEO Ana Harvey expressed excitement about the new installation.
“We are thrilled to exhibit Dr. Shobeiri’s powerful works at Dupont Underground,” says Ana Harvey, Dupont Underground CEO. “His emotive and inspirational work is exactly the type of challenging art Dupont Underground strives to bring to our diversity of visitors.”
Several events will take place throughout the month with Dr. Shobeiri:
- Friday, May 5 at 6 p.m. Opening night and artist stage talk
- Sunday, May 14 Mother’s Day live painting with the artist
- Sunday, May 28: Closing reception and book signing
Additionally, each Saturday throughout the month of May at 1 p.m., a tour with the artist will be available to the public. You can purchase tickets and read more about the exhibit at dupontunderground.org.
Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at sarahp@hillrag.com.
