Abdul Rahman Katanani’s latest exhibition, The Story Portals (أبواب الحكايه), is held at Saleh Barakat Gallery in Clemenceau, Beirut, from 10 January to 15 February 2025. This showcase features a series of nine monumental weavings crafted from metal sheets and barbed wire, inspired by traditional Palestinian embroidery (Tatreez). Initiated over a year before the transformative events of October 7, 2023, these works capture an evolving narrative that mirrors both personal and regional shifts.
Watch an exclusive interview with Abdul Rahman Katanani about the show.
Katanani’s creations hover between the starkness of industrial materials and the elegance of painterly abstraction. Despite the inherent brutality and rigidity of his medium, Katanani’s mastery transforms these materials into lace-like compositions that exude resilience and hope. His manipulation imbues these industrial remnants with a newfound vitality, maintaining their essence while redefining their purpose. The resulting works embody a duality—simultaneously hard-edged and life-affirming, a testament to Katanani’s ability to extract beauty from adversity.
Medium: Embroidery: 2 meters canvas, 2 meters Kham, 2 meters Tella, 95 DMC spool cotton
154 x 85.5 cm
Adding to this narrative, the exhibition features eight of the ten embroidered Palestinian tapestries by INAASH, part of the Dalloul Art Foundation’s collection. These works were inspired by the cultural significance of Palestinian embroidered textiles and a dialogue between patron Dr. Basel Dalloul and Katanani. Traditionally used as decorative flaps in Palestinian homes, these textiles symbolise hospitality, craftsmanship, and community heritage. Dr. Dalloul challenged Katanani to recreate the intricate cross-stitch patterns of embroidery in metal, replacing traditional threads with barbed wire strings. The resulting pieces incorporate motifs such as the Cypress Tree, Canaanite Star, Date Palms, and Triangular Amulets, transforming symbols of a storied past into contemporary portals that echo resilience and cultural identity.
Medium: Embroidery: 2 meters canvas, 2 meters Kham, 2 meters Tella, 95 DMC spool cotton
146 x 87.5 cm
The Story Portals invites viewers to explore a narrative interwoven with cultural heritage, contemporary realities, and the artist’s enduring spirit. This exhibition stands as a reflection of Katanani’s vision—transforming symbols of conflict into portals of possibility.
About Abdul Rahman Katanani
Born in 1983 in Sabra, Lebanon, Katanani holds a Diploma and Master’s in Fine Arts from the Lebanese University. Based in Beirut, his career spans numerous solo and group exhibitions both locally and internationally, alongside participation in prestigious residency programs. His recent solo exhibitions include Rituals (Magda Danysz Gallery, Paris, 2021), Self Portrait Total (Analix Forever, Switzerland, 2020), and Brainstorm (Saleh Barakat Gallery, Beirut, 2019).
Location: Saleh Barakat Gallery- Clemenceau, Justinian Street, Beirut, Lebanon
Dates: 10 January – 15 February, 2025