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Rudy Rahme 2010 by Pascale Abi Nahed

Rudy Rahmé in his new studio - Espace 2000 Zouk Mikael

Rudy Rahme is a Lebanese painter, sculptor and poet. He was born in Bcharre, north Lebanon in 1967. He’s the secretary of Gibran K. Gibran’s committee for culture, a founder and the President of Azamil al Alwaan Association, a member of the Lebanese sculptors & painters syndicate, a member of the Cedars forest committee and Daraj al fan association ADG.

Rudy was a student at the “Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts – ALBA”; he pursued his specialization in fresco and sculpture at the “Academia Spinelli-Florence” with the assistance of the Baraldi family and conducted lost wax casting sessions at the “Fonderie Coubertin” Paris. He invented a new technique for fixing the “Pencil on Canvas” paintings which was patented in his name in Florence – Italy and announced at the Gadarte Gallery - Florence.

From north to south Lebanon, Rudy has so far conducted a list of personal and collective exhibitions in which he always performs live sculpturing, live painting, conferences and poetry evenings.

In the Arab world, Rudy had the chance to represent Lebanon and participate in a number of exhibitions. He realized sculptures for Arab leaders and celebrities.

Some of Rudy’s most significant exhibitions were: Teramo exhibiton-Italy, the “International art show room” Geneva-Switzerland where he represented Lebanon, “Christmas in 5 continents” in Paris-France, the Francophone Communities Symposium at Tripoli and the International Symposium in Rachana where he was selected as the representative of Lebanese Sculptors. He also participated at the annual symposium in the Check Republic and “The first Lebanese-Lativian Arts Exhibition”, UNESCO – Beirut.

His sculptures are part of the permanent “Galerie du Marché - Prestige” Montreux-Swsitzerland and the “Gadarte Gallery” in Florence.

Of all his abundant achievements, “LA MARTINE CEDAR” remains the most remarkable wooden sculpture and the largest around the world; a sculpture with 39 meters high! In addition to this he brought to life 102 human figures that reflect the link between time and place. Rudy also transferred 2 other dead cedar trees into pieces of art and there are still 11 cedars waiting for their turn to complete the “human forest” in the Cedar Forest.

It is also worth mentioning that Rudy Rahme has been selected as one among 40 international artists chosen to continue the work on Nelson Mandela’s 6 Paintings that will be exhibited all over the world to support Mandela’s Foundation.

Among the distinguished works of Rudy are: a monumental sculpture (4m high) of Gibran Khalil Gibran in bronze standing at the entrance of Gibran’s Museum – Bcharre, the complete carving of Mary Haskel Cultural place which spreads over an area of 5000m2 near the Museum and the memorial sculpture at Gibran’s tomb.

Some of the most amazing achievements of Rudy are the “Windmill of Time” at Jeita Grotto, the different sculptures at the entrance of the UNESCO Palace – Beirut, the altar at the St. Joseph church – Mtayleb, the different sculptors at the entrance of the Notre-Dame University, the painting at the entrance of the Four Season Hotel – Beirut known as the largest painting using the “Pencil on Canvas” technique, the altar at Bkerki church, the “Mountain of Wisdom” roundabout at Bellevue-Metn, the entrance of WaterGate – Dbayeh, “Haut Relief” representing St. Elie at St/ Elie church - Khinchara, Saint-Joseph sculpture carrying baby Jesus at the entrance of the Saint-Joseph University, the wooden sculptures at the entrance of the American University of Beirut and in its museum, and “Haut Relief” of marble powder at Osai Boutique – Downtown. Moreover, five of the most miraculous sculptures which are considered as part of the Vatican treasury were offered by Rudy to the Pope, John Paul II, at different occasions such as the canonization of St. Rafka in Rome and St. Francis Assisi feast day…

Last but not least, Rudy has left his spiritual touches in several churches all over the country and this is reflected through the countless Christ crucifixion sculptures he made. Different busts for several saints, leaders and distinguished personalities are also worth mentioning along with plenty of personal projects with monumental sculptures and paintings that one may find in private residences and villas across the country and overseas.

Rudy also realized several trophies for different occasions among these one for Miss Lebanon’s beauty contest, another for Wella professionals’ events and finally the trophy offered during the opening of King Abdullah University for Sciences and Technology.

Rudy’s work has always been appreciated. He was awarded from the municipality of
Nogent Sur Marne – Paris. He also received many other awards as Sursock Museum Award for the special technique (pencil on canvas), “Said Akl” Award, “Arz El Watani” Award, the “Murex D’or”, a gratification from the Ministry of Culture Latvia-UNESCO, “National Cedars” Award from the Lions Club and “Arz El Watan” Award from the Rotary Club. Rudy also received the golden medal in poetry with a distinction certificate from “Studio El Fan” and the 1st prize of the “Independence Day” competition held in the Keserwan Region. What has been mentioned is only a few of all the awards, gratifications and appreciation certificates he has received from different organizations and associations.

What has been accomplished is only a part of a dream that will continue with the coming projects such as the “Path of Patience” including fifteen monumental bronze sculptures from Kana to the Cedars of Lebanon, the “Transfiguration of Jesus Christ”...

Rudy is an artist who’s always ready to leave the city of his comfort and set off into the wilderness of his intuition! azamil-al-alwan
Azamil Al-alwan - Sculpture