Artist Biography
Ghassan Kitmitto
Ghassan Kitmitto is a visual artist and photographer born in Lebanon.
He currently pursues his photography in Lebanon while working as an art consultant and in events programming.
His works have been showcased in numerous exhibitions across Europe and North America, contributing to the vibrancy of a new artistic scene and promoting the creativity of the “Land of the Cedars” worldwide. His photographs reflect a deep attachment to both contemporary art and traditional techniques, which he skillfully reinvents. Currently, he is collaborating with painter Mansour El Habre on a project combining painting and photography, as he previously did with artist Amine El Bacha, who won the gold medal “Citta Eterna” Prize in Rome in 1976.
Regarding his homeland, he created a series titled Beirut: The Mysteries of the Levant, which was featured in several exhibitions and published as a book by An-Nahar. This series comprises a hundred photographs that, beyond highlighting differences, reveal the profound unity of the Middle East, transcending the geopolitical borders that often dominate attention. Despite this expansive vision, his work maintains a consistent focus: whether portraying architecture, landscapes, or people, every piece is ultimately a portrait.
Ghassan Kitmitto captures both places and people, immortalizing them on paper with infinite tenderness. His works idealize these fragments of memory, treating them with the care and reverence.
Key Exhibitions
- July 2022: “Kitmitto – El Bacha: Beyrouth, Paris, New York”, Beirut, Lebanon.
- July 2009: “Beyrouth les mystères du Levant”, Rochane Art Gallery, Saïfi Village, Beirut, Lebanon. Accompanied by the book published by Dar An-Nahar.
- June 2008: “Casting de Stars”, Théâtre de la Photographie et de l’Image, Nice, France. Group exhibition with photographers from the collection of the Maison Européenne de la Photographie.
- March 2000: “Los Angeles County of Art”, Los Angeles, California, USA. Group exhibition featuring Polaroid transfers.
- June 1998: “Kitmitto – El Bacha: “Beyrouth, Paris, New York”, Nicolas Sursock Museum, Beirut, Lebanon. Collaboration featuring watercolors by El Bacha and Polaroid transfers by Kitmitto.
- February 1998: “Kitmitto – El alchimie entre photographie et peinture contemporaine”, Espace Photographique, Paris, France. Supported by Maison Européenne de la Photographie.
- February 1997: “Naked”, Ward-Nasse Gallery, Soho, New York, USA. Group exhibition on the theme of New York.
- September 1996: “City Vibes”, Ward-Nasse Gallery, Soho, New York, USA. Group exhibition on the theme of New York.
- June 1996: “Un Monde Narcisse”, French Cultural Center, Beirut, Lebanon. Exhibition of Polaroid transfers.
- October 1995: “La Limite”, Sanayeh Festival, Beirut, Lebanon. Installation in collaboration with interior designer S. Chalfoun.
- June 1994: “Un Monde Parfait”, French Cultural Center, Beirut, Lebanon. Exhibition of Polaroid transfers and black-and-white photographs.
- February 1993: “Hollywood Glamour”, Centre Art et Culture, Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon. Projection of portraits by the artist.
Collections
- Maison Européenne de la Photographie
- The Polaroid Co. USA
- Private collections in Lebanon, France and the United States
