Issa Ibrahim is an artist, musician, author and filmmaker living and working in Queens, N.Y.

Insanity Plea Patient Out on Parole.

Chocolate Child of the Nuclear Age.

Black Bohemian Man Out of Time.

Raised from a living death in Creedmoor Psychiatric Center, Issa Ibrahim could be anybody. And he is you, or someone you know, who has run afoul of “The System” and fallen through the cracks of society. Same old story…why should you care? Maybe because there’s a bright and shiny rainbow at the end, and doesn’t everyone like happy endings?

Issa Ibrahim has been reborn. He has come into full bloom creatively while living under the most psychologically restrictive conditions. In 2016 Chicago Review Press published The Hospital Always Wins: A Memoir detailing his experiences in a broken mental health system including spending 20-years in an asylum following a horrific family tragedy.

Artist, Author, Musician, Filmmaker.

Above all a Survivor.

Like a soul entombed, Issa has come forth with tall tales of death, using humor, bite, toothpicks and bubblegum. Chronicling the various ghouls, grave robbers, maggots, witches and spirits that drifted through him in his quest to understand himself. Released from bondage, Issa re-experiences life decades later, like Rip Van Winkle or Captain America…except twice as hard cuz he’s black.

Come explore the nether regions of the soul with Issa Ibrahim...It just may re-kindle your will to live.

One fan raves-

“You take the raw materials of your existence and experiences and transmute them in art, music and a profound glimpse into realms others may not have been fortunate enough to see without your guidance.”

New Work

Current and Upcoming Shows

Go! Figure!

Curated by Michael Kronenberg, Sean Alday & Mikki Nylund

9/10/2026-10/28/2026

Fountain House Gallery

702 9th Ave, NYC

Bettie’s Legs, oil on canvas, 30" x 40", 2004-

A rare foray in photo-realism. The model was a nurse at Creedmoor Hospital with spectacular gams, among other impressive attributes, who went by her middle name “Betty.” Inspired also by another “Bettie,” 1950s pin-up queen Ms. Bettie Page.

I especially like the hint of pink toenail polish on an otherwise monochromatic study.

BUBBLEGUM BLUES

An exciting album of NEW MUSIC by Issa COMING SOON!!!

New videos from the album Bubblegum Blues coming to this playlist every couple of weeks.

Album released on September 11, 2026.

The Cosmic Knockout is a gothic horror/ Greek Tragedy/ sex farce and sci-fi take on the Second Coming, where a zombie trapped in Hell tries to overcome his damnation while battling severe mental illness, marijuana addiction and Satan himself.

CLICK IMAGE FOR eBOOK

Advance praise and short testimonials

for the new novel

THE COSMIC KNOCKOUT

A sci-fi/fantasy/horror/psychotic memoir available

in ebook & audiobook formats.

Print version only available at Issa’s online store.

AVAILABLE NOW…more info in BOOKS