Lebanon (1983)
Lebanon forming the Split of Life series, comprising
exhibitions generated various conferences and
a vast range of enormous paintings dealing with
cultural activities from a wide segment of society.
themes evoking the horrors of war. But showing
works at odds with a commercial society or system
You have also made paintings on other conflicts,
faced insurmountable obstacles. Bypassing
such as Vietnam (1974), Bosnia (1995–96) and Iraq
commercial promotion, I went on an extended road
(2004-2006) Do you aim to depict particular events
tour showing the works at different places in various
in war, or something more universal?
states, and later traveling through Latin America and
other countries worldwide. The exhibitions went on
The works were a response to the terrible wars that
for an extended time spanning the 15-year period of
were raging in Lebanon and many countries in the
the Lebanese Civil War. The works projected a
Middle East and Latin America, where I made
compelling view of a troubled world, in particular of
frequent visits and spent quite a bit of time. The
Lebanon, the beloved beautiful country being
depicted images reveal harrowing images evoking
assaulted and torn apart by a vicious cycle of violence
tearing and threatening its very foundation. The