Curated by Wafa Roz
Exhibition from 5 September till 5 December 2024
The Dalloul Art Foundation (DAF) in Beirut presents Prints & Printmaking, a unique exhibition celebrating the artistry of Arab artists-printmakers. The exhibition showcases a rich selection of fine art prints on paper from the DAF collection, some of which have rarely been seen by the public.
Showcasing more than 310 fine art handmade prints on paper, Prints & Printmaking exhibition features the creations of 36 renowned Arab artists from across the Middle East and North Africa, including Farid Belkahia, Chaïbia Talal, Dia Al Azzawi, Rafa Nasiri, Suad al-Attar, Marwan Kassab-Bachi, Walid Abu Shakra, Kamal Boullata, Mustafa El Hallaj, Huguette Caland, Shafic Abboud, Halim Jurdak, Samira Badran, Mohammad El Rawas, Ayman Baalbaki, Said Baalbaki, Yvette Achkar, – amongst many other notable Arab printmakers who have shaped the medium’s evolution.
Through Prints & Printmaking exhibition, DAF aims to offer visitors a deeper understanding of printmaking’s artistry, while raising awareness about this medium’s significance in shaping the themes and narratives explored by various artists. The exhibition is not just a display of art, but also an educational opportunity to learn about the history and techniques of printmaking. The selected artworks demonstrate arich diversity of printmaking techniques, including the complex processes of intaglio, relief, planography (lithography), and silkscreen, each offering a unique perspective and artistic expression.
في المعتقل In Detention, 1975
Medium: Woodcut on paper
69 x 49.5 cm
In addition to showcasing a wide range of prints from DAF’s extensive collection, the exhibition will also feature archival material, unique artists’ books, and an authentic copy of the first known book ever printed in the Eastern part of the Ottoman Empire, The Book of Psalms, which was printed in the monastery of Saint Anthony of Qozhaya in Lebanon in 1610. The book has been borrowed on loan, and is courtesy of ‘la Bibliothèque Orientale de l’Université Saint-Joseph,’ USJ, in Beirut.
The history of printmaking is a testament to humanity’s enduring creative and technological exploration. From its ancient origins in Mesopotamia with stamp and cylinder seal printing to the highly specialised and experimental printmaking styles of the 20th century, printmaking has evolved through physical and chemical innovations, shaping the dissemination of image and text across cultures and continents.
The 20th century was marked by an insurgence of nationalism, state-building, and major political upheavals and changes. The reproducibility and accessibility of the printmaking medium made it a crucial tool for artistic experimentation, social commentary, and cultural revival. Arab artists and printmakers catalysed the resurgence of printmaking while maintaining its potential as an autonomous art form.
