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Art on 56th Gallery
September 9, 2022

Art on 56th Gallery marks end of 10th Season with Collective Show

Art on 56th Gallery is currently celebrating the end of their 10th season with a Collective Exhibition of their artists’ work. Make sure to pass by and see the show before it ends.

Art on 56th launched their Collective Exhibition on August 18, 2022, in grand celebratory fashion, marking the end of their 10th season and the launch of their upcoming 11th season. The Collective Exhibition showcases varied works of art by the gallery’s in-house artists, including paintings, sculptures and works on paper. I had the pleasure of visiting the gallery and seeing the show earlier this week; needless to say, the collection and the curation was uplifting, intriguing and visually appealing. 

Brenda Turnnidge

Brenda Turnnidge, hand-tinted photos (1998 – 2021) photo by the author

A myriad of figural creations, animal and anthropomorphic forms, patterns of faces and places, and abstract medleys fill the halls of the gallery. From a bronze rooster (Zouhair Dabbagh) to a mosaic of framed faces (Hoda Baalbaki), from landscapes to cityscapes, from abstract expressionism to impressionism; the variety of subject matter and mastery of techniques keep the visitor on his/her toes. One can find Sara Chaar’s gestural work and layers of mixed media, Saoud Abdallah’s simplified female forms, and the expressiveness of Tarek Butayhi’s portraits. One can reflect on meaning in the ceramics of Joseph Barchini, the subtle ink patterns of Mahmoud Hamadani, or the enigmatic ‘Selfie’ by Wissam Beydoun.

Zouhair Dabbagh
Maroun Hakim, 42

Rooster cast in Bronze by Zouhair Dabbagh (photo by the author) and a white marble sculpture by Maroun Hakim (photo courtesy of the gallery)

Who was the inspiration behind the haunting portrait by Georges Bassil? What motivated Brenda Turnnidge to document Beirut with her hand-tinted photos? Was the color-scheme of Edgard Mazigi’s acrylic on linen (Untitled 2) inspired by the Post-Impressionists (Gauguin comes to mind)?

 

I browsed the halls and found more to explore. Alaa Abou Shaheen presents a wistful view of childhood in his mixed media on canvas (Untitled 91). Edward Shahda parallels two faces in a powerful, psychological drama using mixed media as well. Louna Maalouf’s collage combines urban views with figurative depictions. And the evocative faces of Nizar Ismail’s works parallel the themes also presented by Ghylan Safadi, the latter works being larger and more colorful.

Georges Bassil

Georges Bassil “Once Upon a Time” (2019) photo by the author

RAFIK MAJZOUB

Rafik Majzoub “Untitled 2” (2020) photo courtesy of the gallery

tokyo, Dyala Khodary

Dyala Khodary “Tokyo” photo courtesy of the gallery

Alaa abou Shaheen

Alaa Abou Shaheen “Untitled 91” photo courtesy of the gallery

Saoud Abdallah

Saoud Abdallah “Anticipation” (2017) photo by the author

Impressionism is explored in Issa Halloum’s oil paintings, as is the illustration-approach in Layla Dagher’s “Blue Moon” and Mohamad Omran’s “The Giraffe and Her Friends”. Rafik Majzoub never fails to shock. Ghada Jamal returns us to the sentiments of Beirut and Lebanon. I personally appreciated both the technique and subject matter of Dyala Khodary’s “Tokyo”, as it was the first time I perused this work.

And finally, Maroun Hakim’s fine sculptures and paintings graced the halls and walls of this well-established gallery.

Noha Wadi Moharram office

A collection of artworks in the office of Noha Wadi Moharram, the founder and owner of Art on 56th Gallery

As a long-time collaborator with Art on 56th Gallery, I was truly proud to see the Collective Exhibition and to witness another important moment in the gallery’s history. I wish them all the best for their upcoming new season.

The Collective Exhibition at Art on 56th Gallery, Gemmayze, Beirut will remain on display until September 14, 2022. Make sure to pass by and see the show.

Photo credits are given with each photo. Cover photo by Ramy Al Saghir.

 

Follow Art on 56th Gallery here.

Follow the author Maie El-Hage on Instagram here.

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