CAROLINE BAZZI

Beirut- On August 4, 2020, a fire broke out in one of the few warehouses at the Port of Beirut and then a massive explosion occurred. In the explosion, more than 200 people lost their lives and about 6,000 people were injured.  The blast displaced 300,000 people and caused widespread destruction and devastation, damaging buildings up to 20km away. While no progress has been made in the investigation launched into the explosion, an exhibition was opened on Friday (May 20) by a group of painters at the Art Corner Hall, near the Port of Beirut with the motto, “By Artists and for Artists”. The exhibition will be open for a week.

"Light in darkness, beauty in chaos”

 Lebanese photographer Fadia Ahmad has participated in the exhibition with her photographs showing the beauty of Beirut even in the flaws. “I was born and grew up in Spain. I returned to Lebanon in 1991 to find my roots and myself as a human being and as a woman. At the exhibition, I have displayed several of my photographs, which show light in darkness, beauty in chaos as well as shed light on the positive side of the city in which we live. This city is a part of us and we are a part of it,” she told NuJINHA.

“Art removes negative energy”

Lebanese artist Zeina Nader is another artist participating in the exhibition with her artworks. “I feel happy to participate in this exhibition because I love exhibitions. My four paintings are exhibited. I love colors and this seems clearly visible in my paintings. Art removes negative energy. I am going to hold three exhibitions in Spain and Italy in summer and autumn. I am currently working on my second book. My first book titled, “Mots Sur Couleurs (English: Words About Colors)” was published in 2016. My second book will be published both in English and in French.”

The paintings of Lebanese fine artist Fadwa Zbib have been also displayed at the exhibition. Pointing out that she painted the paintings being exhibited during the lockdowns of the COvid-19 pandemic. During that time, I missed everything before the coronavirus. I started drawing everything that is old, such as old doors and windows, and excerpts of appearances we used to see in the past, such as people sitting in the café, putting on fezzes and wearing Lebanese traditional clothes. Women play an important role in the cultural movement. They have an active role, and their presence is strong in the art world... We are excluded from politics, but we, as women, have significant energies. Successful women face many challenges but they keep resisting.”