artists A–Z
Jacqueline Ohanian
After many years of primarily painting figurative subjects such as horses, still life, and human figures using watercolor, Jacqueline Ohanian transitioned into abstract expressionism across various mediums. This shift provided her with the freedom and spontaneity to blend her imagination with the diverse realities surrounding her.
Alfons Philipps
Alfons Philipps worked with a variety of materials, including metal sheets, nails, and branches from oak, olive, and lemon trees. He employed unconventional mediums such as coffee beans and color stones, meticulously collecting, grinding, and preparing them for his paintings. His predominantly abstract works, infused with a touch of surrealism, exuded strength through their concise lines and pure shapes. He often incorporated ready-made objects or natural materials into his creations, further enhancing their distinctive character.
Aref El Rayess
Like a chameleon adapting to its surroundings, Aref El Rayess skillfully channeled his art to match his experiences. Each encounter, whether immediate or emotional, found expression through the precise style, medium, and content that best conveyed its essence.
Rudy Rahme
Rahme was influenced by Lebanese nature, its spirituality and its culture (Qadicha, Bkaa kafra), Wahib Keyrouz, Gibran Khalil Gibran, Michael Angelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, Raffaello, and many other artists.
Boulos Richa
A self-taught sculptor, Boulos Richa has always been drawn to forging and smelting. He practiced his craft with great diligence and dedication. He was endlessly fascinated by the material, heating, beating, blazing, hammering, cutting, twisting, chiseling, and assembling it. Nicknamed "Akhwat el-hadid," he was recognized as a master blacksmith throughout the land, possessing extensive knowledge of techniques and methods.
Nabil Richani
From 2001 to 2012, Nabil Richani participated in various solo and group exhibitions showcasing his sculptures and paintings. Some notable exhibitions include The Choueifat Old Souk, Eco Art, Aley Sculpture Symposium, Deir El Qamar Open House, Rassif El Fann in Choueifat, Muntada Insan's exhibition 'Fann w Lawn', and ISC Art for a Good Cause in 2018 and 2019. He also had the opportunity to participate twice in the 'Arab Cultural Society'.
Saloua Raouda Choucair
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.
Mouazzez Rawda
Mouazzez Rawda was a dedicated artist, known for her determination and as one of the first female drivers in Beirut. She began studying art at the age of fifty. Rawda actively participated in five Salon d'Automne exhibitions at the Sursock Museum from 1964 to 1968, receiving two prizes. Her sculpture "Hayalissa" was created in stone in Saida after winning the Ministry of Tourism prize for public monuments.
Chahine Raffoul
Fascinated by the Phoenician culture, Chahine Raffoul sculpts in order to relive this enigmatic ambition. His beginnings in sculpture were traced by classical works and evolved to a very personal approach, after profound experiments on different materials as well as on shapes, in a continuous state of perpetual probing.
Raouf Rifai
Raouf Rifai's art is inherently experimental, as he constantly seeks new avenues of expression. He takes on a cultural and environmental educational role within his society. His affinity for working with children allows him to share his artistic experiences and inspire young minds. He believes that art begins and ends with them, recognizing that an artist is, in essence, a mature child.
Mohammad Sakr
Mohammad Sakr's paintings primarily focus on abstract compositions, often exploring various shades of blue reminiscent of the sea, which held a special place in his heart due to his extensive time spent there. His underwater experiences while diving for seashells also influenced his artistic expression. The color of the sea became a profound source of inspiration and calling for him.
Marwan Saleh
Marwan Saleh’s sculptures serve as a reflection of his personal vision of humanity and the world, conveying his own anxieties and uncertainties. Through his art, Saleh engaged in a process of introspection and internal contemplation.
Hind Soufi
Hind Soufi’s installation serves as a poignant voice for the victims of wars, violence, persecution, and social injustice. It serves as a testimony to the plight of displaced individuals and refugees, capturing the essence of the human condition in its most harrowing form.
Mario Saba
Mario Saba identified himself as an experimental artist who has explored various techniques and artistic approaches, including painting, photography, and mixed-media installations. Through his art, he aims to express the memories of the Lebanese civil war during the post-conflict period. His works embody the challenges of life and the lingering effects of war, fearlessly questioning our assumptions and leading us away from the ordinary. As a result, his art is both unsettling and captivating.
Mona Sayegh
The work in ceramics by Mona Sayegh originated from the concept of functionality. The exhibited pieces utilize the Raku firing technique, which emphasizes this idea as its results cannot be fully controlled or predicted. The technique's meaning also adds to its significance, as it embodies enjoyment, comfort, and pleasure.
Ghassan Christo Saba
Ghassan Christo Saba's artwork draws inspiration from Tripoli's history and artistic heritage. He taps into the rich historical background of his hometown for his artistic creations. The scenes depicted in his artwork are influenced by Tripoli's past.
Dorothy Salhab Kazemi
As a pioneer of modern ceramics in Lebanon, Dorothy Salhab Kazemi introduced stoneware and porcelain, revolutionizing the traditional clay baking process. Influenced by anthropologist Edward Leach, she used a manual wheel to create objects with their own distinct identities. Dorothy also shared her expertise as a ceramics expert at an archaeological excavation site in Syria.
Nada Sehnaoui
In addition to exhibiting her paintings, Nada Sehnaoui has created numerous large-scale public installations and site-specific installations in Lebanon and around the world. Her installations in the public space in Lebanon, such as Fractions of Memory (2003), Waynoun (where are they?) (2006), and Haven't Fifteen Years of Hiding in the Toilets Been Enough? (2008), have received recognition and acclaim.
Shireen Taweel
Shireen Taweel is an installation and multimedia artist based between Beirut and Sydney. Taweel's work exploresthe experience of being a Lebanese Australian, living between two cultures. She explores themes related to socially, politically, and religiously constructed public spaces and chooses copper as the core element in her artwork.