The Sfeir-Semler Gallery in downtown Beirut proudly announces an exclusive exhibition showcasing the distinguished works of Aref El Rayess from 1999. This remarkable collection, previously unveiled at the Unesco palace in Beirut in 2000, was largely unseen until now. The exhibition, opening on December 14, 2023, promises to offer a unique insight into the artist’s creative vision.
The Sfeir-Semler Gallery is delighted to host the solo exhibition of Aref El Rayess, set to open on December 14, 2023. This exhibition, available until March 16, 2024, features a series of vibrant, informal, yet intricately constructed and abstract paintings. These works, first presented under the title “Labyrinths,” showcase a consistent style, marking a distinct approach for El Rayess, who is known for his versatility and prolific output.
Critically acclaimed at their initial exhibition, these paintings were described by Joseph Tarrab as complex networks echoing those found in nature, science and industry. Tarrab observed that they reflect humanity’s entrapment in an identity crisis spurred by globalization, while also serving as talismans or mandalas to reconcile these fundamental contradictions.
The exhibition reveals a journey through organic shapes that transition from one painting to the next, creating abstract landscapes and silhouettes that hint at human forms. Elements from El Rayess’s diverse artistic periods make occasional appearances, with nods to figuration such as a portrait of a man with a crowd at the base of his neck and silhouetted women, reminiscent of his earlier works.
Despite their structured and sculptural nature, the paintings maintain a fluidity, as if crafted in a single, inspired burst. This effect is enhanced by the use of bright, intense colors and geometric shapes that extend beyond the canvas, integrating the frames as part of the artwork. While they may appear spontaneous, it’s evident that El Rayess meticulously planned each composition.
These organisms, formed through prisms and geometric motifs, create surrealistic cityscapes filled with cheerful and discernible silhouettes. Produced in the 1990s and inspired by the psychedelic era of the 1960s, these artworks retain a contemporary vibrancy as if freshly completed in the artist’s studio.
Born in Aley, Lebanon, in 1928, Aref El Rayess began painting at the age of eleven. His artistic journey took him from the American University of Beirut to studying in Senegal, Paris, Florence and Rome, and eventually leading him to represent Lebanon at the New York World Fair. His experiences in the USA and the Arab World profoundly influenced his work, leading to a career filled with teaching, organizing exhibitions and engaging in political and artistic discourses. El Rayess’s legacy continued until his passing in 2005, leaving a lasting impact on the art world.
This exhibition at the Sfeir-Semler Gallery offers a rare opportunity to experience the depth and breadth of Aref El Rayess’s work from a pivotal year in his career. It is an invitation to explore the artistic journey of a man who captured the complexities of his time through vibrant, abstract expression.
