From 5 September to 5 December 2024, the Dalloul Art Foundation (DAF) in Beirut will present Prints & Printmaking, a unique exhibition celebrating the artistry of Arab artist-printmakers. The exhibition will showcase a rich selection of fine art prints on paper from the DAF collection, some of which have rarely been seen in public.
Comprising more than 310 fine art handmade prints on paper, Prints & Printmaking features the creations of 34 renowned Arab artists from across the Middle East and North Africa, including: Farid Belkahia, Chaïbia Talal, Dia Al Azzawi, Rafa Nasiri, Suad al-Attar, Marwan Kassab-Bachi, Walid Abu Shakra, Kamal Boullata, Mustafa El Hallaj, Huguette Caland, Shafic Abboud, Halim Jurdak, Samira Badran, Mohammad El Rawas, Ayman Baalbaki, Said Baalbaki, Yvette Achkar – amongst many other notable Arab printmakers who have shaped the medium’s evolution.
Through the Prints & Printmaking exhibition, DAF aims to offer visitors a deeper understanding of printmaking’s artistry, while raising awareness about this medium’s significance in shaping the themes and narratives explored by various artists. The exhibition aims to be not just a display of art, but also an educational opportunity to learn about the history and techniques of printmaking. The selected artworks demonstrate a diversity of printmaking techniques, Prints and Printmaking exhibition press release – DAF including the complex processes of intaglio, relief, lithography, and silkscreen, each offering a unique perspective and artistic expression.
In addition to showcasing a wide range of prints from DAF’s extensive collection, the exhibition will also feature archival material, unique artists’ books, and an authentic copy of the first book ever printed in the Eastern part of the Ottoman Empire, The Book of Psalms, which was printed in the monastery of Saint Anthony of Qozhaya in Lebanon in 1610. The book has been borrowed on loan, courtesy of la Bibliothèque Orientale de l’Université Saint-Joseph, USJ, in Beirut.
The history of printmaking is a testament to humanity’s enduring creative and technological exploration. From its ancient origins in Mesopotamia with stamp and cylinder seal printing to the highly specialised and experimental printmaking styles of the 20th century, printmaking has evolved through physical and chemical innovations, shaping the dissemination of image and text across cultures and continents.
The 20th century was marked by an insurgence of nationalism, state-building, and major political upheavals and changes. The replicability and accessibility of the printmaking medium made it a crucial tool for artistic experimentation, social commentary, and cultural revival. Arab artists and printmakers fuelled the resurgence of printmaking while maintaining its potential as an autonomous art form.
Wafa Roz, Director of the Dalloul Art Foundation, said: “With Prints & Printmaking we want to bring much-needed attention to the rich and intricate world of printmaking in the Arab world—a medium that has often been eclipsed by the rapid rise of digital technologies. This art form, with its deep roots and diverse techniques, deserves to be celebrated and more deeply understood. Through this exhibition, we hope to highlight the unique processes that go into printmaking, while shining a spotlight on the incredible talent of a myriad of Arab printmakers.”
Apart from the prints, the show will include 4 filmed interviews produced and conducted by DAF with esteemed modern and contemporary Arab artists-printmakers, including Mohammad Rawas, Samira Badran, Said Baalbaki, and Zeina Badran.
As part of the exhibition’s immersive experience, DAF will offer a series of printmaking workshops at its space, led by Lebanese printmaker Ahmad Ghaddar, aka Renoz (b. 1994). These workshops will provide art enthusiasts with a hands-on opportunity to explore the world of printmaking, allowing them to engage with the medium in a unique and personal way. Further details will be released on DAF’s website and social channels.
Press release from the Dalloul Art Foundation (DAF)
Image: Kamal Boullata. Ya Subhan Al-Khaliq (Glory to the Creator). 1983. Silkscreen on paper. Image courtesy of the artist and the Dalloul Art Foundation
