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Within the elegant confines of “L’atelier by Maher Attar” in Gemmayzé, the artist Hussein Hussein showcases his canvases and installations until September 30.
This exhibition, ingeniously crafted by Art Form, extends a metaphorical and unequivocally artistic interpretation of the ongoing crisis in Lebanon.
Born and raised in Lebanon, Hussein Hussein initially embarked on a journey in the field of science, earning an advanced degree in pharmacy. However, his profound love for visual arts steered him towards pursuing a postgraduate diploma in fine arts at the Lebanese University, where he presently holds a teaching position. Later on, Hussein secured a doctorate in art and art sciences from the same esteemed institution. In 2018, he unveiled his inaugural book titled Les Arts Incohérents 1882-1893 : The Missing Page from the History of Rebel Art.
Boasting six solo exhibitions and over forty-five contributions to group exhibitions, both in Lebanon and abroad, Hussein stands as an unyielding force in the art world. It is paramount to acknowledge that hope constitutes a central theme in his body of work, a steadfast presence mirrored through his vibrant and intense chromatic palette which conveys an attempt to counterbalance the experienced bitterness and sorrow.
Far from being an escapade from reality, the DIS-JUNCTION exhibition delves deep into Lebanese daily life and the relentless crisis that has been ravaging the country since 2019. Hussein offers an almost poetic representation of reality, depicting panels surrounded by a tangled mesh of cables, poles, plates and electrical wires, portraying a desperate attempt to mitigate the frequent power outages. He portrays eroded tanks and pipes, introducing a semi-abstract vision of Lebanese daily life.
Hussein conjures images of human figures navigating a surreal environment, often caught in the strenuous activity of carrying gas cylinders and other life essentials, thereby encapsulating a daily existence marked by adversity and the burden of never-ending hardships. These depictions are ensconced in a metaphysical atmosphere where time appears to stand still, morphing ordinary objects into totems of our era.
DIS-JUNCTION beckons the visitors to indulge in deep contemplation, urging them to immerse themselves in this vibrant journey that resonates with the absurdity of the current circumstances. The exhibition transcends being merely a meditation on Lebanon’s precarious condition, propelling viewers towards a envision of a brighter future. Through a lens of humor and sarcasm, Hussein elevates mundane elements of daily life to artistic subjects, thereby reiterating their intrinsic value in a setting where they are often overlooked.
By reimagining simple entities such as a gas cylinder or a traffic light into pieces of art, the artist reignites their vital importance, particularly for a Lebanese citizen who has been brutally deprived of them. Through this approach, Hussein transcends mere criticism of the present reality, fostering a vision infused with hope and, potentially, beauty towards a prospective future.
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