The exhibition features 31 paintings, drawings, and two new sculptural pieces, delving into the philosophical realm of posthumanism. Through a blend of acrylics, oils, pastels, and charcoals, Safatly’s oeuvre challenges anthropocentrism, illuminating the intricate relationships between humans and often overlooked sentient beings.
Utilising diverse surfaces like paper, fabric, and unconventional materials such as plastic table covers and rusted bedsheets, Safatly articulates the complex ecosystems shaped by human intervention, both biological and technological.
Safatly elucidates, ‘Posthumanism blurs the lines between the human self and its surroundings, bridging the perceived gap between ‘us’ and ‘them.”
The exhibition’s scenography, crafted in collaboration with Etienne Coppé, transforms the former storage space of the Mayflower Hotel into an immersive environment. The mismatched floor tiles and austere display fixtures evoke a timeless laboratory, mirroring Safatly’s experimentation with humanity’s evolving impact on its habitat.
Annie Vartivarian, Co-founder and Director of AD Leb, commends Safatly’s bold and impassioned approach to art-making, praising her adeptness in tackling complex themes. Vartivarian lauds Safatly’s ability to infuse philosophical inquiries into her work, highlighting the seamless integration of daring techniques and everyday materials in “Life Beyond the Self.”
About Christine Safatly
Christine Safatly, born in Minieh, Lebanon in 1992 and currently based in Beirut, earned her Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from the Lebanese University in 2018, focusing on painting, drawing, and sculpture. She was a participant in Ashkal Alwan’s Home Workspace Program during 2019-20. Safatly’s artworks have been showcased in prominent exhibitions such as the 12th Berlin Biennale, Beirut Art Center, and Art Design Lebanon.
Location: Mayflower Hotel in Hamra
Date: 27 February – 27 April, 2024
Caption featured image: Christine Safatly, Harvest time 1, 2023. Natural acrylic paint, oil pastel, charcoal, feutre, and oil painting table cover plastic. 76 x 75 cm. Photo by Vartan Seraydarian © Art Design Lebanon.