Mohamad-Said Baalbaki

Lebanese artist Mohamad Said Baalbaki draws much of his inspiration from childhood memories of growing up in the Lebanese Civil War and Israeli occupation. Most well known for his paintings and prints depicting anonymous piles of clothing and suitcases, Baalbaki’s interest in exploring notions of travel, lost histories, and displacement has been a major influence in the development of his work. In 2006, the artist shifted focus to examine the role of museums and institutions in the recording and accumulation of historical knowledge, with particular regard to challenging the intended impartiality of these institutions. His project “Al Buraq” is a fictional display that documents the discovery of a winged horse with a human head—a mythic figure important in the Islamic tradition.

Since 1998, Baalbaki has shown work in Berlin, New York and Beirut. He has also exhibited in contemporary art fairs such as Scope Basel (2009), Art Miami (2008), and Art Paris (2011). In 2005, he was awarded the Meisterschülerpreis des Präsidenten Prize (President’s Prize) from the Berlin University of Fine Arts.