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Rubeen Salem (b. 1997, San Francisco) is a New York–based multimedia artist working primarily in figurative surrealist painting. Salem creates visual prayers.

Rooted in poetry and devotional symbolism, his work explores surrender, longing, divine timing, and emotional awareness. Central to his visual language is the recurring “tea-cup head” figure — an emblem of receptivity, discipline, and faith. The cup represents an openness to what is poured: love, loss, revelation, and transformation.

Raised between literature and image-making, Salem developed an early practice of pairing written word with visual narrative — a dialogue that continues to shape his paintings today. Each work operates as both confession and offering: intimate yet archetypal.

His compositions balance tenderness with scale, humor with reverence, and contemporary vernacular with spiritual symbolism. Through repetition of motif and emotional intensity, Salem builds a cohesive mythology, one in which devotion is not passive, but powerful.

He lives and works in New York City.

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Yours, 2025 Acrylic on canvas 33”x48”

Devoted, 2025 Acrylic on canvas 33”x48”

We’re All In This Shit Together, 2024 Acrylic on canvas
90”x48”

It Was Always You, 2025
Acrylic on canvas

36”x48”

We Got A Little Thing Goin’, 2025

Acrylic on canvas

36”x48”

Have You, 2025

Acrylic on canvas

40”x48”

It’s just a little more exciting than I’m used to Im a little more alive when im with You
A little more a bite when’s it’s us two
And you’re very much exactly where I want you

The paintings on my walls said they missed you The painting on my easel thinks I have you
The words in my head say I got you
But babe you’re in my eyes and I want you

Type Shit, 2026

Acrylic on canvas

33”x27”

See You In A New Light, 2025

Acrylic on canvas
32”x48”

Dissociative, 2025

Acrylic on canvas

32”x48”

Missed You, 2025

Acrylic on canvas

32”x48”

I saw you again.

This time was different. Your hairs longer now and I don’t remember you like this. There’s a glow I didn’t notice before.

I saw you in the yellow street lights. We talked for a little bit. The past felt irrelevant. The red traffic lights shined on you while you were talking about what’s new. They switched to green before I got a chance to put you into words. You showed me something blue in your phone and I realized I didn’t see you how you were, but how I was.

You don’t do things the same reasons I do. Idk why that was important before. I don’t remember and I don’t want to. This is the you you’ve always been and it took me just now to see you.

You’re not a new person. You don’t fit in the box I made you. You’re bigger than I knew. And suddenly you’re brighter than before. And I know the next time I see you, you’re gonna be like lightning.

It just took me seeing you in a new light.