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With “12 Women (and an Orange Cat),” Benoît Debbané invites us to revisit our perception of feminine beauty. Through his intimate and authentic portraits, the Lebanese painter pays tribute to the women who have marked his life, while exploring the fascinating parallels between femininity and the enigmatic presence of cats. The opening reception will take place on Thursday, June 6, from 6 PM to 9 PM at the new space of The LT Gallery in Mar Mikhael. The exhibition will then continue until June 20.
Benoît Debbané, a multidisciplinary artist born in Beirut in 1974, returns to the forefront with a solo exhibition titled “12 Women (and an Orange Cat).” Presented at The LT Gallery starting June 6, 2024, this series of paintings marks a significant milestone in Debbané’s artistic journey.
Hailing from a family of artists, Benoît Debbané first emerged as a graffiti artist in the streets of Beirut after the end of the war in 1991. After studying architecture at the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts (ALBA), he embarked on a career as an illustrator and comic book artist for various local magazines and newspapers. His aesthetics and composition remain heavily influenced by his architectural training.
Known for his colorful and witty illustrations in the Lebanese press, as well as his previous successful exhibitions, notably at Art Lounge—Beirut between 2008 and 2014, Benoît Debbané explores new horizons with “12 Women (and an Orange Cat).” While retaining his visual signature—splashes of neon colors and irreverent doodles reminiscent of his early days in urban art—he ventures into a more abstract form of expression.
When asked why he chose to focus on women, Debbané explains, “The women who have mattered in my life have always been extraordinary. There is something about them that I find liberating and fascinating in how they balance self-expression, strength and vulnerability in a society that doesn’t always appreciate character and individuality.”
The deliberate choice of twelve women, with the discreet omission of the thirteenth to avoid superstition, underscores the intentionality of Debbané’s creative vision. Far from arbitrary, their presence reflects the depth and complexity of feminine identity, captured in moments of quiet contemplation and unfiltered authenticity. His work portrays the unfiltered existence of women, free from the constraints of external judgment. The subjects are depicted in their most authentic state, without playing a particular role or seeking to please.
A recurring and significant element in this series is the presence of an orange cat. This mischievous feline companion echoes the mystery of femininity and the relationship between humans and animals. “Cats are omnipresent in my work. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have a cat companion in my life. In a way, cats have shaped me,” says Debbané. The choice of the color orange is not accidental: known for being the most mischievous, orange cats add another dimension of intrigue.
With “12 Women (and an Orange Cat),” Benoît Debbané weaves his style with a new sense of experimentation. Although his work is rooted in his experience as an illustrator, he makes a turn towards abstract expressionism, signaling his commitment to artistic evolution. “As an artist, I never see myself stagnating or settling for what is already achieved. Art, as the form of expression I have chosen, must be dynamic, constantly evolving, constantly changing; otherwise, it goes against its very essence,” he explains.
The creative process for this series began with a sketch: a woman sitting alone, nude, smoking, surrounded by plants, in an empty apartment. Debbané decided to call her Tereza, as she reminded him of a protagonist who had marked him in Kundera’s novel The Unbearable Lightness of Being. From there, this series of portraits of women was born, most of whom remind the artist of women who have marked him, each with a background story he imagined. But he leaves it to the viewers to imagine their own stories or to remember someone they know.
After a forced break due to health issues, followed by the unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic and the local Lebanese crisis that heavily impacted the art market, Debbané seizes the momentum to explore new horizons. “12 Women (and an Orange Cat)” thus marks a strong comeback for the artist. For all contemporary art enthusiasts eager to discover Benoît Debbané’s unique perspective on femininity, this exhibition is not to be missed.
