Saleh Barakat Gallery presents a solo exhibition by Oussama Baalbaki titled ‘An Inner Light’ from 13 June until 20 July, 2024.
In Oussama Baalbaki’s art, the juxtaposition of a soft face against a building’s hard edge, or the reflection in a car mirror, immerses viewers into his world. Time’s movement is captured in his brushstrokes, portraying a reality that is both chaotic and strangely familiar. Baalbaki’s presence within his paintings creates an intimacy, making his depicted world believable even in an age overwhelmed by images that often detach from reality.
Light is a central theme in his work, whether it’s the sun’s glow, the evening’s pink hue on a building, or the intricate interplay of dark and light brushstrokes illuminating a face or a hand. The movement of light across these subjects often takes precedence, transforming them into conduits of illumination. Yet, the subjects themselves are significant, as they shape and are shaped by the light.
In Baalbaki’s paintings, the landscape of a face mirrors the landscape of his view, blending the internal with the external. His ability to depict this seamless transition allows the viewer to engage deeply with the scenes he creates, as if stepping into his personal vision. Through his art, the familiar becomes extraordinary, and the external world is imbued with the artist’s internal reflections.
Oussama Baalbaki, born in Odeisse, South Lebanon, in 1978, graduated from the Lebanese University’s Institute of Fine Arts in 2002. He has showcased his work in group exhibitions at the Sursock Museum in Lebanon and internationally in cities like Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London, Miami, Munich, New York, and Washington. In 2009, Baalbaki won the silver medal for painting at the “Jeux de la Francophonie.” Currently, he lives and works in Beirut, consistently creating works that draw viewers into his intimate and evocative artistic realm.
Location: Saleh Barakat Gallery, Beirut
Dates: 13 June until 20 July, 2024