Ihab Ahmad

Ihab Ahmad is a Lebanese artist who was born in Beirut. His family moved temporarily to Cyprus when he was a young boy to escape the civil war in Lebanon, and the memories of the conflict and its repercussions have had a significant impact on his artistic journey. 

Ahmad began creating art as a child as a means of self-expression and to deal with his emotions, but only decided to focus on painting full-time in his thirties. He returned to university, graduating in Visual Communication Art from the Lebanese University. Since then, he has also participated in several workshops in silkscreen printing, painting and drawing, reflecting the multidisciplinary approach that he adopts in his work, which spans acrylic and collage on canvas, and other media, and its diverse nature.

Ahmad’s artwork is joyous, uplifting and energetic. Abstract, contemporary and pop-art inspired, it combines a fascinating mix of recognisable natural symbols with patterns and geometric forms, brought to life in bold, bright colours. He has described his art as a “joyful escape” from the dark times of the war that marked his childhood - optimism springing from despair and a deep-rooted desire for a world in which people exist in harmony, both among each other and with nature. “I draw what my imagination carries from childhood: memory and beauty. I hold a message of HOPE in my paintings,” he has said in an interview. 

Intriguing symbols, such as fish, eyes, animals, flowers, crowns, squares and trees, are a hallmark of Ahmad’s work, brought with him from his boyhood and finished in a colourful palette. And yet the level of intensity and freneticism in Ahmad’s works, combined with his use of thick black outlines, suggests, at times, a more disconcerting backdrop, serving as a reminder, perhaps, of more difficult days and humanity’s frailties and flaws. 

Ahmad’s work has been exhibited extensively in Lebanon and abroad, with a landmark solo show, titled ‘Intriguing Natural Symbols’, held at Mark Hachem Gallery, Beirut in 2022.

Ahmad has also taken part in several group exhibitions and art fairs, most recently: Menart Fair, Ambassador House, Brussels, Belgium (2022); Kunstrai Art Fair, Amsterdam, Netherlands (2022); Modern Art Fair, Paris (2022); Scope Miami Art Fair, Miami (2022); Mark Hachem Gallery, Beirut (2022); Belvedere Art Space, DIFC, Dubai (2022); Belvedere Art Space, Beirut (2020); Egypt International Art Fair, Cairo (2020); Art Booth, ‘BREAK’ exhibition, Abu Dhabi (2020); Carré d’artistes, Paris (2020); Sorrento Art Festival, Italy (2019); Art Innsbruck, International Art Fair, Austria (2019); Al Bahie Art Gallery, Doha, Qatar (2019); Marco Antonio Patrizio Gallery, Padova, Italy (2019); Carré d’artistes, Hong Kong (2019); Carré d’artistes, Beirut (2018); ‘Visual Art Forum VII’, UNESCO, Beirut (2016); Arab Bank, Beirut (2016); Book Fair, Biel, Beirut (2015); ‘Visual Art Forum VI’, UNESCO, Beirut (2015); ‘The Evolution of Arts during War’, UNESCO, Beirut (2014); and Dar Al Mousawer, Beirut (2014).

Ahmad’s work can also be found in public and private collections, including at Lebanon’s Ministry of Culture. In 2016, he founded Beirut Art Studio, a space for teaching art to children and adults.