A new solo show by Sara Abou Mrad titled ‘Rester ou Partir’ takes place at Galerie Janine Rubeiz from 24 July until 23 August. Sara Abou Mrad created her world to escape reality, crafting a universe that mirrors her sense of an ideal reality. Over time, she has developed a dreamlike realm rich in symbols, joyful, bursting with colours, and inhabited by diverse creatures. This dynamic world is an open space for imagination. Yet, this world stands in stark contrast to her deepest feelings, to the reality she perceives daily, and to the vibrations of the world around her.
Her series centred around the theme of migration, explores the dilemma of staying or leaving. It delves into the subject of geographic mobility, the collective and individual repercussions of displacement on society, and the dissociation and disunion of families. This series is dedicated to the feeling of uprootedness, translating the sentiment of exile and the shift from a collective way of life to an individualistic one.
The life of an exiled person is examined, confronting the mysterious otherness. The figure of the stranger unfolds, particularly in exile, leading to a revival. Discovering a new place is not easy; fear and instability accompany those who have left their home, village, or country. Psychological, sociological, and financial insecurities replace a life of comfortable routine.
Since leaving Lebanon in September 2020, these feelings have constantly placed Abou Mrad before the primal dilemma of staying or leaving. If she leaves, will she remain the same? Will exile force her to change? What can she keep from the world she abandons?
The table, a symbol of communion, blessing, sharing, union, pleasure, and sociability, occupies the centre of her works. This unstable table, adorned for many, waits for guests, striving to gather, strengthen bonds, and prevent family dissociation. It represents the place where scattered pieces come together, where a synthesis between past and present is attempted, a hypothesis for the future.
This is the situation faced by many, with family members dispersed across continents, emotionally unstable. A table, a meal, and a roof unite us and make us feel secure. Amidst fear, instability, and insecurity, the exile confronts failure. Yet, through courage, perseverance, resilience, audacity, and adventure, exile can also be a springboard to a new life.
Interview with Sara Abou Mrad
Could you elaborate on how your art serves as a refuge from reality and reflects your inner world?
I escape into a dreamlike world. It’s a peaceful and serene place, rich in colours and symbols. A joyful world that resembles me, and I would like to live there as long as I can. It’s something I often repeat.
My style allows me to soften the harsh reality of life, its difficulties, and its adversities. Yet, I never forget to glorify the beauty around me, my dreams, and my fantasies. By transforming my ideas into symbols and giving them meaning, colour, and movement, this dreamlike world takes shape and integrates into my life like a second reality.
I say: “I have created a world to escape reality. I have drawn this world that suits me, a reality that resembles me.”
What inspired you to delve into migration and displacement, and how do you hope your audience will respond to these works?
I left Lebanon four years ago. I experienced loneliness in a country that I didn’t know. This awakened new emotions in me, stirred sorrow for Lebanon, and especially revealed a deep attachment to my homeland, to its values that I carry within me.
This solitude made me realise that I cherished small things, seemingly insignificant, like not sitting alone at the table, sharing my life, and my ideas, or simply not being far from those I love. Suddenly, they became immensely important to me overnight.
I found myself, out of necessity, abruptly thrust into an individualistic way of life, whereas I had been living, almost unknowingly, in a collective world.
In my opinion and from my experience, a displaced or immigrant person undergoes similar emotional trials, far from the land that deeply shaped them.
My series ‘Stay or Leave’ aims to prompt Lebanese people who live in Lebanon and have suffered since the civil war to question themselves before leaving. Those who have already left to live elsewhere should reflect on the meaning of this move, and what they are leaving behind. I’m not talking about material possessions but about values, and our Lebanese identity. These questions are universal and concern anyone who moves and seeks stability elsewhere to settle down.
As an artist based in Paris with roots in Lebanon, how do you navigate the complexities of identity and belonging in your life and work?
My identity quickly solidified abroad. The blending of a new culture with my own made me appreciate the Eastern heritage that has shaped me into the person I am today.
Westernisation was not my aim. Nor was it a fantasy. However, immersing myself in the West and blending what I discover in France with my profound self is what I am currently seeking.
Lebanese traditions, values, and customs are dear to my heart. I defend and preserve them in my work because I believe they are worthwhile and offer perspectives and solutions to those suffering from too much solitude.
Looking ahead, what themes or projects are you currently exploring, and where do you see your artistic journey taking you in the future?
Currently, I am developing a series of paintings inspired by Central Africa. Discovering this jewel has deeply inspired me during my stay there. It’s a series where my character Matilda, who is my alter ego, discovers an unusual world to her senses. An exotic world of shapes and colours.
The symbols in this series, their tones, and details are adapted to create the desired mysterious ambience and the dreamlike quality it exudes.
In the future, I see myself exploring new techniques, pushing the boundaries of expression, and engaging with various themes that resonate with both personal and universal experiences. My goal is to create a deep connection with the audience, evoke emotions, and contribute significantly to the cultural tapestry through my art.
About Sara Abou Mrad
Born in Lebanon in 1988, Sara Abou Mrad is a multidisciplinary artist based in Paris. A graduate of the Lebanese University Academy of Fine Arts, she has won several international awards, including the “Call for Young Lebanese Artists” by Jack Lang and Claude Lemand in 2020, and prizes at Beirut Design Week and the Goethe Institute. In 2020, she was a French Institute of Lebanon scholar at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris. Her work, rich in Lebanese cultural symbols, explores themes of collective and personal histories, political violence, and societal destruction. Her pieces are in prestigious collections worldwide.
Location: Galerie Janine Rubeiz, Beirut
Dates: 24 July until 23 August, 2024