Imad Issa

1953, Beirut

Imad Issa is a war-time Dadaist. He received training in painting under Hassan Jouni and studied sculpture with modernist artist Nazem Irani. He furthered his studies at the Institute of Fine Arts at the Lebanese University and the Institute of Fine Arts in Esculla Massana in Barcelona.

Issa employs video installations and sculpture as mediums to explore the violence of war. He has held numerous solo exhibitions in Beirut, including at Saifi Village Gallery, the Goethe Institut, and Zico House. Additionally, he has participated in group shows at Beirut Art Center, the Arts Center at the American University of Beirut, and the Russian Cultural Center, among others.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Issa was an active figure in the Beirut art scene, showcasing his drawing, painting, collage, and sculpture in exhibitions. His installations and video art often conveyed provocative and ironic criticisms of Lebanese society, deeply affected by the civil war.

About his Work

Imad Issa’s work is a revolt against the civil war, the political system and its corruption. His artworks, in paintings, sculpture and installations are untraditional in their approach as they are a scream against the deterioration of morals and human values. His statements are direct but carry emotional and intellectual overtones. His art seems destructive but it is positive in its ultimate aim for renewal.