Hala Mouzannar presents her new body of work in an exhibition titled ‘Si la Matière Pouvait Parler’ at Agial Art Gallery until November 18th.
‘Time slows in the pools of surface sheen, in neat and tiny crackles, in foil relief.’
Each painting by Mouzannar encapsulates the evidence of motion and the tempo of this motion, embodying a material sense of time in flux. The amalgamation of different materials offers a platform to observe their interactions and how they respond, coexist, juxtapose, or overlap with each other.
Understanding the qualities of materials is rooted in a hands-on, experiential process, where the complexities of various compounds gradually unveil themselves through continuous and evolving comprehension. Unexpected interactions coexist with our accumulated knowledge, forming a dynamic tension between the anticipation of how one element will behave when introduced to another.
Life, both on and off the canvas, holds an inherent element of unpredictability, harmonising with experience, acquired wisdom, and persistent practice. Hala Mouzannar orchestrates these dual realities, bringing them to the forefront and illuminating them under the spotlight. Here, the elements of chance and experiences radiate, akin to the way the eye meanders within the pools of her art.
About Hala Mouzannar
Hala Mouzannar, born in Beirut in 1968, ventured into the realm of art after an extensive career in the creative sector. Her professional journey included roles as a media planner at Leo Burnett Beirut, a media executive at Future Television, and a director of acquisitions at Aïzone fashion department store. In 2005, she co-founded Madame Rêve, a costume jewelry company and store, where she also made contributions as a creative stylist. In 2015, she transitioned into the realm of painting.
She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the American University of Beirut, earned in 1989. Moreover, in 2021, she obtained a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Visual Arts from the Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts (ALBA) in Beirut. Her artistic journey has seen her featured in solo exhibitions like “La Chasse aux Papillons” at Agial Art Gallery in Beirut and exhibitions in London. Her contributions extend to group exhibitions in venues such as Arthaus Gallery, Beirut Art Center, Maintain, La Maison Abandonnée, and Green Cedars, all situated in Beirut.
Location: Agial Art Gallery, Beirut
Dates: 12 October – 18 November 2023