The opening of the Saloua Raouda Choucair Museum, honours one of the Middle East’s most influential modernist artists. Located less than an hour from Beirut in Ras El Metn, this museum is a testament to the harmonious integration of human creativity with the natural environment.
Born in Beirut in 1916, Saloua Raouda Choucair was a trailblazer in modern art. Her journey took her to Paris in 1948, where she studied with Fernand Léger and played a pivotal role in establishing Atelier de l’Art Abstrait, led by Edgard Pillet and Jean Dewasne. She was among the first Arab artists to exhibit at the Salon des Réalités Nouvelles in 1951, marking her as a significant figure in the global modern art movement. Her work is part of permanent collections in major museums worldwide.
Choucair’s work uniquely blends Western abstraction and Islamic aesthetics, deeply influenced by her interests in science, architecture, mathematics, and Arabic poetry. She is celebrated for integrating Islamic art’s mathematical principles with modern abstract forms, creating art that resonates with both intellectual discipline and poetic beauty. Her sculptures often reflect concepts of infinitude and interconnectedness, drawing inspiration from Sufi philosophy and Arabic poetry.
The museum opened on June 24, on what would have been Choucair’s 108th birthday inviting visitors to immerse themselves in her innovative spirit and profound impact on modern art. As they explore the museum and its Sculpture Garden, they can engage with her work and appreciate the interplay between her art and the natural surroundings.
Hala Schoukair, the artist’s daughter and president of the Saloua Raouda Choucair Foundation, explained that although her mother was born and raised in Beirut, she was always captivated by the transparency of the pine tree forest. Upon her first visit to this plot, the trees, plants, and rocks inspired her to design a plan for it. Now, many years later, the museum inaugurates on this land, allowing future generations to admire her mother’s work.
The Foundation, safeguarding and propagating the artist’s legacy, has created a space displaying Choucair’s extensive collection and housing her personal archives. These archives offer invaluable insights into her thought processes, artistic development, and the cultural and historical contexts influencing her work.
The museum houses around 600 pieces, with 500 on display, showcasing Choucair’s versatile use of materials, including terracotta, wood, stone, fiberglass, metal sheets, brass, bronze, aluminum, plexiglass, and stainless steel. The collection also includes her innovative furniture, carpets, plates, and jewelry, underscoring her belief that art should be intertwined with everyday life.
Designed by Lebanese architect Karim Bekdache, the museum is a testament of modernity and environmental sensitivity. The museum aligns with the natural topography, with the structure appearing to float protectively over lush vegetation, nestling among pine trees with minimal landscape impact.
