Philadelphia artist Nazeer Sabree explores themes of masculinity, identity, and belonging. His work questions the societal norms and rigid expectations imposed on men and boys, inviting viewers to ponder the complexities of manhood as they intersect with race, mental health, and survival. Sabree employs his signature False Face motif which covers his subjects’ countenance with collaged images carefully selected from history, advertising, and social media. Although masks are commonly used as camouflage, in Sabree’s work they serve to reveal as much as they hide.

Sabree’s concepts are motivated by his own lived experiences with depression and anxiety. His work at Philadelphia International Airport draws inspiration from a pivotal lesson during his early adulthood. One of the principal matriarchs in his life sought to impart the necessity for self-care to ensure one’s own mental well-being before pouring oneself into others. Sabree’s playful wordplay advises the viewer to “please secure your own mask before assisting others”, echoing the safety instructions given during pre-flight announcements. The mask becomes a shield, mirror, and symbol of the delicate balance between self-preservation and vulnerability.

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