Syria's rich cultural history has long been a source of inspiration for artists across the globe. Even in the face of adversity, Syrian artists have continued to push boundaries, blending their rich heritage with contemporary forms of expression. As 2024 draws to a close, here are seven Syrian artists whose work you should follow to understand the diversity and depth of Syria's contemporary art scene.
Talin Hazbar
Talin Hazbar (b. 1988) is a multidisciplinary artist whose work delves into the quiet transformation of natural materials. She explores the cycles of growth and decay, capturing the essence of time as seen in nature’s constant evolution on both microscopic and grand scales.
Originally from Syria and now based in the UAE, Hazbar’s art has been exhibited widely, both locally and internationally. Her notable exhibitions include those at the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (2022), the NGV Triennial at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne (2020), and the Louvre Abu Dhabi (2018), marking her as a rising voice in the world of contemporary art.
Khaled Akil
Aleppo-born artist Khaled Akil began his creative path in photography, using light and shadow to capture life’s raw moments, then expanded into collage, layering images to explore alternate realities. His notable series *Pokémon Go in Syria* places animated characters against the devastation of Syria, creating a striking contrast that speaks to innocence amid conflict.
Akil’s early career, shaped by his law studies and inspiration from his father, the acclaimed Syrian painter Youssef Akil, reflects his focus on human rights and the socio-political landscape of Syria. Since moving to Istanbul in 2012, Akil’s work has embraced themes of identity, spiritual connection, and the resilience of Middle Eastern culture.
Abdalla Al Omari
Abdalla Al Omari launched his art career in Damascus shortly after the Syrian conflict began, focusing on the experiences of civilians, especially children, impacted by war. A graduate in English Literature from the University of Damascus, Omari also trained at the Adham Ismail Institute for Visual Arts and later worked with Syrian art pioneers Ghassan Sibai and Fouad Dahdouh.
Now based in Belgium, Omari gained international recognition with *The Vulnerability Series* (2017), a project that reimagines world leaders as refugees, addressing themes of empathy and displacement. He also explores video and performance art. One of his notable pieces, *The Boat*, was showcased at the Gangwon International Biennale in South Korea during the 2018 Winter Olympics, alongside prominent artists such as Thomas Hirschhorn and Akram Zaatari. The piece was also exhibited at the YES conference in Kiev, curated by the PinchukArtCentre, alongside international figures like Marina Abramovic and Andreas Gursky.
Omari’s recent exhibitions span across global venues, including the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, Ayyam Gallery in Dubai, Affenfaust Gallery in Hamburg, and Kusseneers Gallery in Brussels, marking his ongoing impact on the international art scene.
Safwan Dahoul
Safwan Dahoul, a leading figure in Arab art, is celebrated for his melancholic, monochromatic paintings that blend influences from Cubism to ancient Assyrian art. His renowned *Dream* series explores themes of isolation and longing, often depicting a female protagonist whose contorted form and enclosed settings evoke a deep sense of alienation.
Born in Hama, Syria in 1961, Dahoul studied at the University of Damascus and earned a doctorate in Belgium. A key mentor in Damascus's art scene, he bridged modern and contemporary Arab art and inspired many Syrian artists. Dahoul’s work is housed in major collections, including the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, and has been exhibited globally, from Dubai to London and South Korea.
Thaier Helal
Thaier Helal, a pioneering Syrian artist born in 1967, is known for his experimental approach that blurs the boundaries between painting and assemblage. Since the 1990s, after relocating to the UAE, he has developed a distinct method combining materials like sand, coal, and glue, reflecting the physical and sensory world. Each piece begins with a sketched grid, layered with mixed media, evoking movement and organic formations through vibrant colors and textures.
With the Syrian conflict's onset, Helal’s works incorporated found objects, highlighting themes of global militarization, consumerism, and power struggles. His contributions to Gulf art are extensive, with exhibitions at the Sharjah Art Museum and awards from the Tehran Contemporary Painting Biennial. As a professor at the University of Sharjah, he continues to shape the next generation of regional artists.
Ammar AbdRabo
Born in Damascus in 1966, Ammar Abd Rabbo is a celebrated photographer whose career spans over three decades. Growing up in Libya, Lebanon, and finally settling in France at age 12, he has become one of the Arab world's most prominent photographers. His images have graced over 60 magazine covers and appeared in major publications, including *Time*, *Paris Match*, *Der Spiegel*, *Le Monde*, and *Asharq Al Awsat*. His online gallery on Flickr has attracted over three million visitors.
Abd Rabbo’s portfolio captures everything from intimate portraits of global leaders to war coverage in Iraq, Lebanon, and Libya, as well as celebrity and high-society events like the Cannes Film Festival and Paris Fashion Week. His first solo artistic exhibition, *Coming Soon*, was held in 2012 at Ayyam Gallery in Beirut. Since then, he has explored social issues through his work, touching on censorship, body freedom, and women’s and LGBTQ+ rights.
In 2015, one of his photos featured in Banksy's *Dismaland*, and in 2017, he was honored as a “Knight of Arts and Letters” by the French government. Abd Rabbo’s work has been showcased in 13 solo exhibitions, from Paris to Dubai, and in over 15 group shows globally, underscoring his impact on both art and photojournalism.
Khaled Takreti
Born in Beirut in 1964, Khaled Takreti is a Syrian contemporary artist who began his career working with the General Directorate of Antiquity and Museums in Syria before focusing on art. In 1995, he moved to New York to expand his artistic style and later settled in Paris in 2006, fully dedicating himself to painting.
Takreti's works have been showcased in solo and group exhibitions across the Middle East, Europe, and the USA, including prestigious events like the Alexandria Biennale, Art Paris, Art Hong Kong, and Art Dubai. His paintings are part of permanent collections at institutions such as the Syrian National Museum, Jordan’s National Gallery of Fine Arts, and Mathaf, the Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha.
Known for his bold color schemes and striking luminosity, Takreti’s canvases explore the human experience, often reflecting the chaos of conflict. Through personal narratives and cultural heritage, his work invites viewers to consider the impact of geopolitical upheaval on the human spirit.
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