Listen to the article
The 5th edition of Menart Fair, founded in 2021 by Laure d’Hauteville, held in September 2024 in Paris, is exclusively dedicated to female artists from the MENA region. At this event, at the Artists of Beirut stand at the Joseph Gallery in Paris, Liane Mathes Rabbath showcases her circular paintings, “Arty Bubbles,” a delicate fusion of collage and paint.
Liane Mathes Rabbath is among those radiant artists whose work naturally extends from their life force. The colors in her artistic bubbles are crafted using a fluid technique of collage and painting. The paper, meticulously rolled, adopts a circular motion, creating an effect that seems to stretch “to infinity,” as she describes.
Her pieces, known as “Arty Bubbles,” envelop art lovers in a bubble of either joyful or soothing energy, opening a window to dreamscapes and beauty. Composed exclusively of variously sized circles, her paintings pulse with vivid and intense colors. The acrylic circles overlap, crafting an illusion of depth. Each circle is unique, spanning hues from blue to red, with touches of yellow, green and even neon colors, blending seamlessly like subtly mingling watercolors.
The ensemble conveys a sense of unending movement, as though the artwork is continuously expanding. Although the background of the paintings is neutral, it is completely obscured by the abundance of bubbles, allowing the colors to pop with intensity and enhancing the composition’s dynamic nature. The bubbles fluctuate between symmetry and asymmetry, evoking themes of interconnection and infinity. They provide both serenity and energy, transporting viewers to an abstract realm where shapes and colors converse freely. “The circular shapes made on these circles emit a distinct energy. My work has evolved significantly; I began with oil paint on paper, then gold, and now I use acrylic,” the artist explains.
Reflecting on her early days in the 1990s, Liane Mathes Rabbath, a graduate of the LAU School of Fine Arts, shares, “I was drawn to art from a young age. During my classes, I discovered collage and was eager to try it. It took me two years to master the technique, especially handling the paper. I eventually found a paper associated with Lebanon, a material I had long sought. Now, I repurpose paper scraps from my husband’s factory, which I carefully shape and roll. This emotional bond has guided my work.” She elaborates that she rolls small tubes of paper, assembling them into vibrant and colorful compositions. Continually working in series, she spontaneously mixes colors.
For years, the artist has tirelessly devoted herself to her craft, drawing inspiration from Islamic art, geometric shapes and patterns seen in churches, particularly on floors and in corridors. Over time, her art has evolved: “I create my works flat. Each series of colors is thoughtfully arranged to reflect my current emotions. The colors, whether neon, bright, or softer, are inspired by my mood,” she confides. The spiral movement symbolizes “life, an endless energy that never ceases. This vortex enables me to persist, even amid the country’s challenges. It’s essential to look beyond lamentations and toward the future.”
For Liane Mathes Rabbath, art transcends technique. It is foremost a means of expressing emotions, immortalizing the present, and materializing feelings. “Today, I aspire for my works to bring joy to those who view them,” she concludes.
Yara Jahchan, co-founder of Artists of Beirut, reflects on the initiative’s inception: “We initiated this with the energy from August 4 to elevate Lebanese artists and their creative endeavors. The project gradually took shape, with ongoing physical exhibitions and active social media promotion since 2020. Simultaneously, we’ve embraced a crucial mission: contributing to the rehabilitation of Beirut’s heritage sites and ancient homes. A portion of our revenues supports local associations.”
Liane Mathes Rabbath’s art immerses us in an infinite bubble where forms and colors harmonize. Here, we lose ourselves in the beauty, joy and calming energy of the moment.
