Saloua Raouda Choucair

1916 – 2017, Beirut

Saloua Raouda Choucair pioneered abstract art in the Middle East through her paintings, textiles, and interlocking sculptures. She acquired her drawing and painting skills under the guidance of Omar Onsi and Moustafa Farroukh. Choucair furthered her artistic education in Paris, studying sculpture, lithography, and fresco painting at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, and attending the studios of Fernand Léger and Abstract art.

After years of limited exposure, her artistic career gained significant recognition in 2011 when a large retrospective exhibition at the Beirut Exhibition Center showcased seven decades of her prolific creativity. Subsequently, in 2013, she achieved international acclaim with a retrospective show at Tate Modern in London.

Choucair possessed a profound understanding of the beauty and significance of Islamic art, and she skillfully adapted its essence to the context of modern times. Although versatile in her artistic practice, she primarily identified as a sculptor. Guided by her instinctive creativity and conceptualized as a pioneer of Arabic Abstraction, she dedicated her entire life to her art, approaching it with unwavering passion and determination. Choucair fearlessly defied conventions, embraced the unknown, and emerged more vibrant than ever.

About her Work

The art of Saloua Raouda Choucair draws its inspiration from science, mathematics, Islamic art, and poetry, forming a rich tapestry of influences. Today, she is rightfully recognized as one of the foremost sculptors in the Middle East. What sets her apart is her exceptional ability to synthesize and reinterpret the contemporary Middle Eastern artistic vocabulary through a deeply personal lens.

Choucair delved into the exploration of repetition, separation, and union of modular elements, reminiscent of the predetermined order found in Islamic art. She extensively investigated the architectural qualities of various materials such as wood, stone, Plexiglass, enamel, nylon, and metal threads, harnessing the unique aesthetics and physical properties of each texture and color. Whether in the form of singular, dual, or multiple masses, her abstract creations interact internally within their own structures while also engaging with the external environment.

In her pursuit of the ideal form, Choucair adhered to mathematical rules, evident in the repetition and proportionality of her objects. Each piece meticulously adhered to these rules, representing a search for harmony and perfection.

Nabil Richani

Mouazzez Rawda