Bashir Qonqar (b. 1980), is a self-taught artist currently working and living in Bad Goisern, Austria. He studied social sciences in Heidenheim, Germany, where he resided for 7 years. In 2007, he returned to Bethlehem, where he worked as a social pedagogue at rehabilitation institutions for several years, and served as Public Relations Manager at the Caritas Baby Hospital. Simultaneously, he taught oil painting and design at Dar Al-Kalima University’s faculty of visual arts. At the tender age of 8, Bashir experienced the loss of his father, who was killed during the First Palestinian Intifada. This event deeply impacted his childhood and shaped his personality.

Bashir’s artistic focus primarily revolves around sociocultural interactions and his relentless quest to understand and reflect upon human behavior. He also delves into society’s collective taboos, infusing his works with criticism and sarcasm. His visual practice encompasses a diverse range of techniques and mediums, including painting, drawing, digital art, and installations. In his art, Qonqar seeks to depict human instincts, needs and behaviors, often with satirical and cynical outcomes. Bashir’s works have been exhibited in various countries, including Palestine, Germany, Austria, Andorra, Italy, France, South Africa, Sweden, the USA, and the UAE.