Esteban Raheem Abdul Raheem Samayoa: Blood Be Water
Institute of Contemporary Art San José

In his first solo institutional exhibition, Blood Be Water, Esteban Raheem Abdul Raheem Samayoa transforms the gallery with airbrushed paintings, oil pastels, and ceramics. Drawing from muralism, street art, and Latin American folk traditions, the work reflects on heritage, identity, and transformation.

The exhibition reimagines the saying “blood is thicker than water,” centering community and chosen family as powerful forms of connection. Through its interplay of ethereal imagery and grounded materials, Blood Be Water invites reflection on resilience, belonging, and the fluid nature of selfhood.

Blood Be Water, curated by Zoë Latzer, was reviewed in The New York Times and featured in additional coverage in KQED, Metro, and San Jose Mercury News, recognizing its emotional and cultural resonance.

Reviews: New York Times, KQED, Metro, and Mercury