Alwane Gallery – Saifi Village

Les Passeurs by Zena Assi May 2018

Odile Mazloum Andraos

Has the great pleasure to welcome you to the Solo show ‘Les Passeurs’

Featuring new works by Zena Assi

At ALWANE Gallery – Saifi Village

Opening Tuesday, 15 May, from 6pm to 9pm In artist’s presence

Exhibition 16 May - 31 May 2018

‘Les Passeurs’ is Assi’s recent series of works produced in her London studio; some pieces play on the idea of belonging while others raise the question of identity and patriotism, addressing the brain drain that the Middle East has been witnessing for decades. A selection of works reflects on the refugee’s crisis and the controversial role of the ‘passeur’.

Drawing inspiration from the emotional, social and cultural baggage we carry when we are on the move, the series explores the relationship between migration and memory.

ZENA ASSI - Born in Lebanon in 1974, Assi lives and works between Beirut and London.

She graduated with honors from l’Academie Libanaise des Beaux Arts (ALBA), worked in advertising and taught in different universities.
Her contemporary work on canvas draws inspiration from the relations and conflicts between the individual and his spatial environment, society and its surroundings.

Her pieces are punctuated by strong visual references to her native Beirut and the predicament of its citizens.

The artist uses various supports and mediums to document and explore the cultural and social changes of her country.
Her work takes shape in installation, animation, sculpting, and mainly paintings; it replicates the tumult, angst and cacophony that everyday life in the city is fraught with.

Many of her pieces were repeatedly shown in different international auction houses (Christie’s Dubai, Sotheby’s London, and Bonhams London) and are part of various public as well as private collections. Assi has exhibited in solos as well as collective shows across Europe, the Middle East and the United States of America.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS:

•2017 Les Passeurs, Office du Tourisme du Liban, Paris, France. •2017 Put it in a tin & City Wall, Art Sawa, Dubai, UAE.
•2016 My City shore, Art Sawa, Dubai, UAE. •2014 Framing My City, Alwane Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon. •2013 Bug Soldiers,
Art Sawa, Dubai, UAE. •2012 Still Nature, Art Sawa, Dubai, UAE. •2011 Omissions selective, Alwane Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon.
•2010 Cityphilia, Albareh Gallery, Manama, Bahrain. •2010 Mass Movement, Art Sawa, Dubai, UAE. •2009 Public Space,
Art Sawa, Dubai, UAE. •2009 Un peu de Beyrouth, Alwane Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon. •2008 Cite et citadins, Alwane Gallery,
Beirut, Lebanon.

COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS:

•2017 The Venice Art Biennale, Grenada Pavilion, Venice, Italy. •2017 IWM Short Film Festival, Imperial War Museum, London, UK.
•2017 I AM, Katzen Arts Center of American University, Washington, D.C., USA.
•2017 I AM, Trafalgar square,
•2017 I AM, National Gallery of Fine Arts, Amman, Jordan
•2017 The Lynn Painter-Stainers Prize, Guildford House Gallery, Guildford, Surrey, UK.
•2017 The London Art Biennale, Chelsea Old Town, London, UK.
•2017 The Lynn Painter-Stainters Prize, Mall Galleries, London, UK.
•2017 The Pastel Society's 118th Annual Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London, UK.
•2016 Espacio Gallery, London, UK.
•2016 Portrait in April, Saatchi Gallery On Screen, London, UK. •2015 Start Auction, Paddle 8.
•2014 Art14 London Fair, Olympia, Kensington, London, UK.
•2013 Abu Dhabi Art Fair, Saadiyat Cultural District, Abu Dhabi,
UAE.
•2013 Syri-Arts Auction, Beirut Exhibition Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
•2013 Art13 London Fair, Olympia, Kensington, London,
UK.
•2013 Pullman Art Night, Dubai, UAE.
•2013 ArtNight special Edition- DIFC, Art Sawa, Dubai, UAE.
•2013 Journey through
our heritage, Beirut Exhibition Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
•2013 Atfal Souriyah, Mark Hachem, Beirut, Lebanon.
•2012 OverTure,
Miami Art fair, Miami, USA.
•2012 Dress Code Project, Contemporary Art Platform “CAP” Kuwait.
•2012 The Lebanese Creations
1959, 2012, Espace Claude Lemand, Paris, France.
•2012 XXXI salon d’Automne Musée Sursock , Beirut, Lebanon.
•2011 Subtitled
Royal College of Art, London, UK.
•2011 Acquired by the Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah, UAE.
•2011 XXX Salon d’Automne
Musée Sursock - Beirut – Lebanon.
•2011 Shubbak, London, UK.
•2011 Menasart Fair, Beirut, Lebanon.
•2011 Abu Dhabi Art Fair,
Abu Dhabi, UAE.
•2011 Rebirth, Beirut Exhibition Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
•2010 XXII Biennale of Cairo, Cairo, Egypt.
•2010 Zoom,
Miami, USA.
•2010 Contemparabia, Dome, Beirut, Lebanon.
•2009 Prize: BMW, mini cooper’s 50th anniversary, ‘best design for
the Middle East’
•2009 Abu Dhabi Art Fair, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
•2009 Prize mention spéciale du jury XXIX salon d’automne Musée Sursock,
Beirut, Lebanon.
•2008 Regards d’artistes II, Alwane Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon.
•2008 Creative Expressions, Art Sawa, Dubai, UAE.
•2008 Art Paris Abu Dhabi art fair, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
•2008 Opening, Art Sawa, Dubai, UAE.
•2008 XXVIII Salon d'Automne,
Musée Sursock, Lebanon.
•2006 Collective Exhibition, Alwane Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon.
•2006 XXVII Salon d'Automne, Musée Sursock,
Lebanon.
•2005 XXVI Salon d'Automne, Musée Sursock, Lebanon.