Damascus Echoes From Within
The exhibition “Damascus: Reflections from Within” presents artworks born from resilience, from the heart of Damascus, by eight artists who continued life and work amidst adversity, including some of the most prominent names in Syrian art: Abdullah Murad, Fadi Yazigi, Kanana Al-Koud, Munir Al-Shaarani, Nassim Elias, Imran Younes, Reem Tarfa, and Youssef Abdalki. Their works speak of patience, memory, and belonging. Whether survival was a choice or fate, they chose to stay, and through their art, they resisted.
Each piece carries the pulse of a city that has experienced loss and renewal, containing within its layers the imprint of lived experiences and the persistence of hope through strong and diverse expressions.
The exhibition reveals stories of struggle and beauty, reflecting a cultural spirit that continues to shape the contours of the future.
In her reading of the exhibition, Rawaa Talas expressed this creativity:
“A sharp knife pierces the stems of flowers.
Bodies without features lie extended in silence. The red of cut watermelon glows against a gray background. A handwritten message about self-knowledge.
Images of such sensitivity emerged from the hands and deep inner experiences of some of the most prominent contemporary Syrian artists. The exhibition ‘Damascus: Reflections from Within’ presents a curated selection of abstract, symbolic, and still-life works by artists who remained in their country despite a long and destructive conflict: Abdullah Murad, Fadi Yazigi, Kanana Al-Koud, Munir Al-Shaarani, Nassim Elias, Imran Younes, Reem Tarfa, and Youssef Abdalki.
These compositions delve into issues of individual and collective memory, belonging, endurance, chaos, and loss. Yet, a small window of hope and light remains. While the country was being torn apart, the artistic community in Damascus—a historic city that shaped the lives and journeys of the artists—sought to confront harsh realities, continuing to create art despite all challenges.
For each artist, practicing art during times of hardship became a form of resistance, survival, and expression. For some, difficulties deepened their relationship with art, while others felt a responsibility toward their people with every work they produced.
As Syria enters a new stage in its history, the exhibition looks to the future with hope and anticipation, while inviting viewers to reflect on what the Syrian people have lost and endured. It is a tribute to the courage and creativity of Syrian artists and the sacrifices they have made.
Just as a writer, director, or socially engaged musician documents experiences through their medium, these visual artists have documented their experiences, emotions, and environments in their own way, becoming precise witnesses of the time they live in.
The exhibition “Damascus: Reflections from Within” has marked a new step in the gallery’s journey and expanded its presence in Qatar’s cultural and artistic scene.
See The Exhibition Catalogue
Exhibition Introduction
A sharp knife stabbing flower stems. Faceless bodies laying in silence. The redness of sliced watermelons emerging from a grey background. A calligraphic message about knowing oneself. Such delicate images have come from the experienced hands and deep inner thoughts of some of Syria’s leading contemporary artists. “Damascus: Echoes from Within” is showcasing a selection of abstract, figurative, and still-life works by artists Abdullah Murad, Fadi Yazigi, Kinana Alkoud, Mouneer Alshaarani, Nassim Elias, Omran Younis, Reem Tarraf, and Youssef Abdelke, all of whom stayed behind in their country amidst a long and devastating conflict.
Their compositions delve into the personal and collective issues of memory, belonging, resilience, chaos, loss, and yet, there is a small window of hope and light. While the country was being torn apart, the artistic community of Damascus, a historical city that has shaped the artists’ lives and careers, grappled with the dire situation and continued to make art despite all challenges. For each artist, the act of creating amidst adversity was in itself perhaps their only way to resist, survive, and express themselves. For some, it was living through hardship that deepened their relationship with art, while for others there was a sense of responsibility felt towards their people with every work made.
Set against the backdrop of Syria writing a new chapter in its history, the exhibition looks towards the future with hope and aspiration. At the same time, the viewer is invited to consider what has been lost and endured by the Syrian people at large. It is a tribute to the courage and creativity of Syria’s artists, as well as the sacrifices they have made. Akin to a socially engaged writer, filmmaker, or musician, these visual artists thoughtfully documented in their own unique way their experiences, feelings, and surroundings, acting as observant chroniclers of the times they live in.
Bio: Rawaa Talass is a Dubai-based journalist with two master’s degrees in art history from the University of Kent (Paris) and the School of Oriental and African Studies (London). Originally from Syria, she has devoted her writing to telling personal and engaging stories of art, culture, and society from the Arab world and wider region. Her writing has been featured in Arab News, Artsy, The Art Newspaper, Canvas Magazine, AD Middle East and Vogue Arabia.
ARTISTS BIO
MOUNEER AL SHAARANI
Born in Syria in 1952, he is a globally renowned contemporary Arabic calligrapher celebrated for his groundbreaking typographic style that redefines traditional calligraphy. He blends ancient wisdom and poetry with modern aesthetics to create a bold, timeless visual language.
REEM TARRAF
Born in 1974, she is a distinguished Syrian artist whose versatile journey—from graphic design to children’s illustration and fine art—has earned her international recognition. Her deeply expressive works have been featured in exhibitions across Canada, the UAE, and the USA.
FADI YAZIGI
Born in 1966, he is one of the Arab world’s leading contemporary artists, celebrated for his deeply human and emotionally resonant works that reflect everyday life in Syria. His art has been featured in major international museums and collections, including the British Museum and the Delfina Foundation.
YOUSSEF ABDELKI
Born in 1951, he is a renowned Syrian artist whose poignant and symbolically rich works have earned international acclaim, capturing the emotional and political realities of Syria through a career shaped by exile, resistance, and artistic mastery.
ABDULLA MURAD
Born in Homs in 1944, he is one of the pioneers of modern Syrian art, widely acclaimed for his layered abstract compositions that explore the dynamic tension between balance and imbalance. He draws inspiration from Arabesque rhythms and expressive color to reveal an ever-evolving inner world.
NASSIM ELIAS
Born in Damascus in 1970, he has gained international recognition through impactful exhibitions in major cities such as Washington DC, Berlin, Milan, and Geneva, establishing a powerful voice in contemporary Arab art.
KINANA AL KOUD
A sculptor and painter with academic foundations from Damascus University and the Institute of Applied Arts, she gained international acclaim through exhibitions and forums across the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas, including a solo show in Beirut and winning the prestigious Usturaqa Art Prize in 2011.
OMRAN YOUNIS
Born in Hassakah in 1971, he is one of Syria’s leading contemporary artists, known for his bold and emotionally charged works that document the brutality of war. He has received critical acclaim through solo exhibitions and international recognition across the region and the US, exhibiting alongside prominent Arab artists such as Dia Azzawi, Mona Hatoum, and Youssef Nabil.
