Description
This painting, titled “Souvenir de Beyrouth”, captures the enduring beauty and resilience of Beirut’s iconic Pigeon Rocks, set against a vibrant, glowing sunset. The bold colors and dramatic contrast between light and dark reflect a message of hope and renewal amidst adversity. As the sun dips into the horizon, it symbolizes a light breaking through darkness, much like Beirut itself — a city that has faced countless challenges yet continues to shine and inspire. The numbers incorporated into the artwork represent significant milestones in Lebanon’s history, such as the revolution and Independence Day, connecting each area of color to moments of national importance. This approach is also a creative take on “painting by numbers,” inviting viewers to see Lebanon’s story as a mosaic of pivotal events that shape its resilience, strength, and spirit. The numbers in the painting commemorate major dates from Lebanon’s young history.
Artist Biography
Marwan Chamaa
Marwan Chamaa began his artistic career in the mid-1980s, and his work continues to evolve to this day. Deeply inspired by his surroundings, Marwan draws from the diverse environments he has called home, including Munich, New York, and Beirut. While his artistic style has transformed over the years, his commitment to authentically capturing and interpreting his world remains steadfast. This dynamic interplay between place and perspective defines his work, offering audiences a unique view of his experiences.
Marwan’s exposure to various cultures has shaped him into a versatile artist with a global outlook, yet he remains rooted in his Middle Eastern heritage. His passion for art began at a young age, with early influences during his school years. Initially self-taught, he expanded his expertise in graphic design and fine arts through formal studies at the American University of Beirut, Beirut University College, and the Corcoran School of Art. Marwan’s journey reflects the spirit of a global citizen with a profound connection to his cultural origins.
Selected exhibitions:
- L’Association Libano-Allemande pour la Promotion de la Culture, Kaslik, Lebanon, January 1991
- Le Thé Art Café, Beirut, Lebanon, May 1991
- Galerie Tanit, Beirut, Lebanon, May 2013
- Beirut Art Fair, Beirut, Lebanon, September 2013
- Bel-Air Fine Art Gallery, Geneva, Switzerland December 2013
- Bel-Air Fine Art Gallery Gstaad, Switzerland, December 2013
- Bel-Air Fine Art Gallery, St. Tropez, France, April 2014
- Galerie Des Lices, St. Tropez, France, May 2014
- Beirut Art Fair, Beirut, Lebanon, September 2014
- Bel-Air Fine Art Gallery, Geneva, Switzerland February 2015
- Paddle 8, New York City, USA, May 2015
- Beirut Art Fair, Beirut, Lebanon, September 2015
- Opera Gallery, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 2016
- Opera Gallery, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 2016
- Tawlet, Beirut, Lebanon, June 2016
- Bagatelle, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 2016
- Mark Hachem Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon, February 2017
- Opera Gallery, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 2017
- Mark Hachem Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon, April 2017
- Imago Mundi, the Benetton Foundation, April 2017
- Mark Hachem Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon, September 2017
- Beirut Art Fair, Beirut, Lebanon, September 2017
- Opera Gallery, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, October 2017
- Paddle 8, New York City, USA, October 2017
- Bagatelle, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 2017
- Mark Hachem Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon, December 2017
- Cultural Narratives by Selections, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 2018
- Mark Hachem Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon, April 2018
- Opera Gallery, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, May 2018
- Mark Hachem Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon, September 2018
- Borderless, Beirut, Lebanon, September 2018
- CAP, Cultural Narratives by Selections, Kuwait, October 2018
- Mark Hachem Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon, November 2018
- Mark Hachem Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon, February 2019
- 72nd Festival de Cannes, Cannes, France, May 2019
- Mark Hachem Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon, June 2019
- Volta Art Fair 2019, Basel, Switzerland, June 2019
- Art Factory, Beirut, Lebanon, June 2019
- Electra Art Space, Athens, Greece, June 2019
- Skoufa Gallery, Mykonos, Greece, July 2019
- Rising Art Fair, Beirut, Lebanon, July 2019
- Art Athina, Athens, Greece, September 2019
- Beirut Art Fair, Beirut, Lebanon, September 2019
- Mark Hachem Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon, August 2019
- Mark Hachem Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon, December 2019
- Skoufa Gallery, Athens, Greece, December 2019
- Selections, “Glimpses” online, London, UK, June 2020
- Skoufa Gallery, Athens, Greece, July 2020
- Mark Hachem Gallery, online on Artsy, Paris France, August 2020
- Vivendi Gallery, Scope Immersive VR Art Fair, September 2020
- Showfields, online, New York City, USA, September 2020
- Mark Hachem Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon, October 2020
- Mark Hachem Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon, December 2020
- Mark Hachem Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon, January 2021
- Selections Arts, Viewing Rooms “Portraiture in a contemporary world” online, Dubai, UAE, March 2021
- Selections Arts, “The emerging artist’s show” online, Dubai, UAE, March 2021
- Arthaus, Beirut, Lebanon, December 2021
- Jamin Puech x Marwan Chamaa collaboration, worldwide, May 2022
- Kapopoulos Fine Arts Gallery, Athens, Greece, June 2022
- I.C. Benefit Exhibition, online, October 2022
- I.C. Fundraising Exhibition, University Club, Washington DC, December 2022
- Dubai Collection, Dubai UAE, December 2022
- Arthaus, Beirut, Lebanon, May 2023
- Mark Hachem Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon, May 2023
- Domus Art Gallery, Athens, Greece, Lebanon, June 2023
- Art Scene Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon, July 2023
- Mark Hachem Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon, August 2023
- Art Scene Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon, September 2023
- Mark Hachem Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon, October 2023
- Art Miami, Mark Hachem Gallery, Miami, U.S.A., December 2023
- Art Scene Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon, December 2023
- Mark Hachem Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon, January 2024
- I.C. Fundraising Auction, University Club, Washington DC, February 2024
- Gallery 44, “Dissent: Opposition in Contemporary Art” virtual, Washington DC, USA, February 2024
- AFDC, “aVENues of Connection and the Art of Francophone World”, Washington DC, USA, February 2024
- Jamin Puech x Marwan Chamaa collaboration, worldwide, May 2024
- Art Scene Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon, May 2024
- Dalloul Art Foundation, “Hope in an age of dystopia”, Beirut, Lebanon, May 2024
- Art Scene Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon, August 2024
- Zazzy x Marwan Chamaa collaboration, Clarendon, VA., USA, September 2024
- I.L.M.A. Fundraising Auction, Bethesda Country Club, Bethesda, MA., USA, October 2024
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