The Ramzi and Saeda Dalloul Art Foundation (DAF) in Beirut presents Pourquoi il fait si sombre? (Why is it so dark?), a solo exhibition by Ayman Baalbaki. Running from March 21 to April 18, 2025, the show offers a profound exploration of war, memory, and transformation through Baalbaki’s expressive and emotionally charged paintings.
The exhibition’s title is drawn from Dominique Eddé’s 1999 book, which reflects on the aftermath of war and the haunting ruins of Beirut. This literary reference serves as a conceptual framework for Baalbaki’s work, which has long grappled with the visual and psychological landscapes of destruction. Known for his bold depictions of veiled figures, war-torn buildings, and layered urban textures, Baalbaki captures Lebanon’s turbulent history with intense brushstrokes and dramatic colour palettes.
The exhibition spans different periods of Baalbaki’s career, including pieces featured in an upcoming documentary about the artist, filmed at DAF and in his Beirut studio. His latest works reveal a shift toward abstraction, moving beyond figurative representation to explore form and materiality in new ways. This evolution signals a deepening of his engagement with the emotional weight of history and personal memory.
In a compelling curatorial decision, the exhibition also features works by Fawzi Baalbaki, Ayman’s father, and the influential Syrian-German painter Marwan Kassab-Bachi. The inclusion of Fawzi Baalbaki’s work highlights an intergenerational dialogue, underscoring how war and identity are interpreted across different artistic sensibilities.
With Pourquoi il fait si sombre?, Ayman Baalbaki reaffirms his position as one of the most vital voices in contemporary Middle Eastern art, offering a poignant meditation on the past, present, and the shifting nature of memory.
About Ayman Baalbaki
Ayman Baalbaki, born in 1975 in Odeissé, Lebanon, is a prominent contemporary visual artist known for his evocative works reflecting the Lebanese civil war. Raised in Beirut’s Wadi Abu Jamil neighborhood, he earned a Diploma in Fine Arts from Lebanese University in 1998 and pursued further studies at Paris VIII and the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. Baalbaki’s expressionist paintings, notably his depictions of veiled fighters, have gained international acclaim, symbolizing ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts. His work has been showcased globally, including at the 54th Venice Biennale in 2011.
Location: The Ramzi and Saeda Dalloul Art Foundation, Beirut
Dates: March 21 to April 18, 2025