Leila Kubba Kawash

B. 1945, Baghdad

Born to a Swiss-American mother and an Iraqi father, Leila Kubba Kawash received her education in Baghdad before leaving the country at the age of sixteen to study at the Manchester School of Art and Architecture in the United Kingdom, where she graduated with a National Diploma of Art and Design. She further pursued her studies at the Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington DC and took courses in printmaking and painting at St. Martin's College in London.

Kawash has actively participated in several international exhibitions, including solo exhibitions at prestigious venues such as Leighton House in London, Magna Gallery in Athens, the Atrium of the International Monetary Fund, and Alif Gallery in Washington DC. Her works have also been featured in cultural centers in the UAE, Abu Dhabi, Amman, Jordan, as well as in touring exhibitions across the United States.

In addition to her artistic endeavors, Kawash has presented lectures on Mesopotamian and Sumerian Mythology, as well as on Arab art and architecture in Al Andalus, southern Spain. Her expertise has been recognized through media appearances on radio programs such as NPR and features in the New York Times.

Kawash's artworks are held in private and public collections worldwide, including notable institutions such as the British Museum, the Jordan National Gallery, and the World Bank in Washington DC. In 2005, she reunited with her husband in Beirut and founded the art gallery Artspace Hamra.

About her Work

Kubba Kawash's artistic style is characterized by figurative forms and calligraphic symbols, which she depicts in an expressionistic manner. Her art is deeply influenced by Mesopotamian history and Sumerian heritage. The adjective "rich" aptly describes Kawash's work, as it is rich in texture, stories, history, depth, and spirituality. Residing in Beirut has provided her with a constant wellspring of inspiration. She finds great fascination in the vibrancy of street life and has taken on the challenge of capturing and expressing the lively scenes and colors that surround her.

As she has become more acclimated to her surroundings, her artworks have become more exploratory, delving from the realm of present reality into the realms of dreams, imaginary distances, and hidden pasts. The dynamic and explosive changes occurring around her have significantly influenced her work, allowing her to draw from the political and material discontent that permeates daily life. The ongoing struggle between freedom and restrictive boundaries, unrest, and the displacement of people has become a central theme in her artistic expressions.

The installation titled "The Bride of Darkness" serves as Kawash's response to one of these aspects—the frequent electricity cuts that plague daily life in Beirut. It serves as a reflection of the frustrations experienced by the community.

Rina Jaber

Sabine Karam