Quaran Ahmad is a multidisciplinary artist known for his work in photography, filmmaking, event curation, music, and writing. His creative practice is guided by the African philosophy of ubuntu—"I am because we are"—emphasizing community, shared identity, and cultural responsibility. Through his work, Quaran seeks to challenge, document, and reimagine societal systems, creating immersive experiences that provoke dialogue and elevate marginalized voices.
Photography has become one of the most prominent elements of Quaran's practice. His work has been featured in global campaigns and significant collaborations, including the Wales Bonner x Howard University campaign. Quaran’s images have also been sold at prestigious events, such as the 2025 Collectors’ Night Benefit Auction hosted by the Washington Project for the Arts (WPA).
Quaran earned his Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Howard University in 2025, where his artistic vision truly took shape. It was during his time there that he founded BURN, a multimedia project that includes a documentary YouTube series and a curated event series. The BURN Experience, a key component of the project, brought together visual art, film, fashion, and dialogue in immersive exhibitions highlighting marginalized creatives. Throughout the BURN journey, Quaran worked alongside the nonprofit group Tour De Force, based in Washington, D.C., and collaborated with high schools, middle schools, Black-owned businesses, artists, and other creatives in the DMV region. The third and final BURN event, held at Dupont Underground in March 2024, was featured on Fox5 News DC, amplifying the project's impact on the local community. Quaran plans to evolve BURN into a youth program and business in the future.
Quaran Ahmad describes himself as punk, not for aesthetic reasons but for his commitment to rejecting elitism, challenging conformity, and making space for voices often ignored by the mainstream. His work counters the glorification of celebrity and spectacle, focusing instead on authenticity, truth, and human connection.
In Fall 2025, Quaran will begin a Master’s in Urban Planning at New York University, where he will further explore how art, design, and policy intersect to shape more inclusive, expressive cities. His vision is to help create urban environments where creativity serves as a foundation for social change.
Influenced by artists like Virgil Abloh, Arthur Jafa, Pablo Picasso, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, Quaran’s aim is to build a lasting legacy of cultural impact—not through fame, but by creating platforms for meaningful movements and moments.