“Finding Calm In Chaos” by Kelly Haddad

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Finding Calm In Chaos by Kelly Haddad will be showcased at Gemayzeh’s yet-to-be-discovered, L’Atelier by Maher Attar. The Lebanese heritage 1900’s residential building is contemporary, traditional, and located amidst Beirut’s chaos. Pushing through a black iron cast gate, wandering up a staircase to the first floor, Haddad’s solo show consists of 15 artworks: acrylic on canvases and framed illustrations. Visitors will experience a glimpse of Haddad’s mind over a period of seven years. The decision to have her first solo show in Lebanon was motivated by her cravings for her culture, her love for her late grandparents’ Mountain Home, the instability of living in Lebanon and the desire to give back to a struggling community, that she can now call home.

Haddad reflects, “I took a long digital detox, cocooned in my late grandparents’ mountain home, and created, created, created… Although they aren’t around, my Teta’s 68-year-old jasmine tree has been a daily reminder of rebirth. When the house is closed, it dies, and when one of us in the family comes back, it blooms. I get goosebumps thinking about it every time.” For this series of works, Haddad spent the last two years speaking with Lebanese people from all walks of life. Inspired by the curiosity of what makes people get up in the morning, she questioned: “What makes you see the glass half full and not empty?”

“I discovered that the notion of a glass being half full or half empty is controversial in itself—what if it’s filled or empty in ways outside of those bounds?” Haddad challenges. Kelly’s research and creative process led her to the concept of water in correlation to her character art and being in Lebanon. Haddad states, “Water, in its purest form, is nourishing and in its most destructive form can be drowning.” This made Haddad think about the destruction that has engulfed Lebanon over the years, but the simultaneous will of people to never give up. For people to keep filling their own glasses with the help of loved ones, self-motivation, and the diaspora, means that the inherent DNA of the Lebanese is unlike no other. Born and raised in New York City to Lebanese parents, Kelly is considered diaspora herself, who has always supported Lebanon through her art and charity work. Kelly grew up as an American Arab trying to navigate her identity as such. Not American enough in New York, but not Lebanese enough in Lebanon. Learning Arabic, meeting Lebanese on the ground, and spending months at a time in Lebanon during challenging times provoked Haddad to bring her signature abstract and anonymous character to Lebanon. L’Atelier by Maher Attar Opening: Friday, July 28 from 11 am to 5 pm Closing Show: Thursday, August 10 from 6 to 9 pm

L’Atelier by Maher Attar is a multifunctional creative space: Art Hub, Studio & Gallery. Expansion of @artdistrictbeirut gallery. Instagram: @bymaherattar Kelly Haddad Instagram: @kelly_haddad Mira Hawa @miragoesinsta