The role of memory is paramount to my work. With that comes the grappling with identity. My home country of Lebanon has been host to an influx of refugees for the past 70 years. As such, in conjunction with the assault of war within its borders (1975-1990), the identity of the country and its citizens has been shaped by a delicate coexistence with the refugees they host. Identities have become more fluid as both parties question the notion of home and place.
As someone who lives a world away from my country of origin, it seems that there is a constant negotiation of place and person. As a naturalized American citizen, I find myself attempting to understand the definition of home and settlement- and the impact of its potential loss, both from a personal lens and from that of the refugee. The study of post-war memory is reconciled with the use of specific techniques which often include fireworks, ash and house paint, which hint at destruction and reconstruction. The canvas is often intentionally unstretched, allowing for the work to be rolled up and carried, much like a refugee rolls a blanket for travel. Nothing feels permanent. The figures in the paintings adopt the title of Moribund, and traverse between life and its aftermath. The paint delivers the final assault and shapes these creatures in their habitats.
As someone who lives a world away from my country of origin, it seems that there is a constant negotiation of place and person. As a naturalized American citizen, I find myself attempting to understand the definition of home and settlement- and the impact of its potential loss, both from a personal lens and from that of the refugee. The study of post-war memory is reconciled with the use of specific techniques which often include fireworks, ash and house paint, which hint at destruction and reconstruction. The canvas is often intentionally unstretched, allowing for the work to be rolled up and carried, much like a refugee rolls a blanket for travel. Nothing feels permanent. The figures in the paintings adopt the title of Moribund, and traverse between life and its aftermath. The paint delivers the final assault and shapes these creatures in their habitats.