David Kassan (b. 1977, Little Rock, AR) received his BFA from Syracuse University and continued his studies at the National Academy School of Fine Art, the Art Students League of New York, and the British Institute of Florence. Known for his life size portraits, Kassan employs realism to seek the truth within his subjects' stance and gaze. About his work Kassan says, “I am intrigued by the subtlety of emotion in the acquaintances who inhabit my environment.” Recently, Kassan has partnered with the USC Shoah Foundation and the USC Fisher Museum of Art to develop the Edut Project, which aims to document firsthand the stories of the ever-shrinking number of survivors of the Holocaust. Through Kassan’s portraits, stories of perseverance and of life in America from the postwar period to the 21st century are told with sensitivity.
Kassan has exhibited in many solo and group shows, including the BP Portrait Award Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, London, and the Outwin Boochever Exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, Washington, DC. His work is part of a wide range of international private and corporate collections.