Marwan Chamaa Exhibition

Mark Hachem Gallery - November / December 2018

MARWAN CHAMAA

'RETRO-PER-SPECTIVE'

Opening Reception:
Tuesday, November 20th, 2018 I 6-9 pm
The exhibition will be on display until December 8th, 2018
MARK HACHEM GALLERY

Mark Hachem Gallery - Beirut is delighted to present “RETRO-PER-SPECTIVE”, a solo exhibition by artist Marwan Chamaa, featuring his various interpretations of pop culture through select pieces past and present.

Throughout his career, Marwan Chamaa’s art has fundamentally been his view of the world with an ironic and sometimes sarcastic undertone. Marwan, who has been painting for over 3 decades, embodies the spirit of a global citizen without overlooking his Middle Eastern roots. This is translated in his art and lifestyle that bridges the gap between East and West. The physical world is his muse.

The French magazine, St. Tropez House, dubbed Marwan in their August 5, 2014 issue as the “King of Middle Eastern neo-pop art”, when referring to his series “Caramels, Superheroes, fried eggs and chocolates” which was then displayed in a gallery in Saint-Tropez.

Accomplished New York photographer Carlos René Pérez considered his collaboration with Chamaa on the series “Unplugged” as some sort of a revelation. He says: “Uncertain of its ultimate direction I was somewhat circumspect, and curious as well, as to where this project might lead. Exceeding my expectations Marwan’s extraordinary paintings and his hyper-visual narrative led me back to my doorstep, my hometown, my New York City. Marwan Chamaa’s, Unplugged, has embraced NYC as a second home with all warts and the foul scents it comes with. Ultimately my collaboration with Marwan teaches me that the mystery and beauty of New York City are only limited to the imagination of the artist who attempts to define it.”

On his upcoming show “Retro-per-spective” Marwan explains his view on the concept saying “I’m supposed to write something witty about this exposition, about me painting for over 30 years, why my surroundings inspire me, about my love for pop-culture, my fascination with consumerism, my addiction to life, my love for kitsch, and about so many things that make me sound artistic... well, I’m not going to do that. You have to make up your own mind about my art, all I can say is: today is a perfect day “

The focus of RETRO-PER-SPECTIVE is Marwan’s recent work but it will also include some of his RETRO work dating back 30 years. The exposition will show his PER-SPECTIVE of pop-culture.

Marwan Chamaa was born in Beirut in 1964 and has spent most of his adult life in Germany, Lebanon, and the USA. He studied art at the American University of Beirut, Beirut University College, and at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington DC.
Chamaa participated in several group shows, art fairs, and auctions. His work has been displayed in Lebanon, France, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait and is being collected all over the globe.

MARK HACHEM GALLERY
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