Ammar Al Beik

Working in a variety of media, Ammar Al Beik creates narratives through subtle nuances often alluding to sociopolitical issues. Inspired by his surroundings, Al Beik seeks to reveal the complexities of human relationships.

Born in Damascus, Ammar Al Beik (1972) developed an early passion for photography, later branching out to work with cinematography and installation. He is currently working on his integrated PhD in the Philosophy of Art, researching thus far across Tokyo, Berlin and Rolle. In many of his projects, he has focused on Syria, including the instability of society under political repression, the popular resistance that led up to the war and the subject of exile. His photographic works are recognisable for their frequently shocking or unsettling narrative based subject matter and their experimental lens.

Exhibiting and screening his work, Al Beik has produced and directed 10 films, participated in more than 50 international film festivals and been awarded a number of prizes. His works are housed in private and public collections such as the Centre Pompidou; Los Angeles County Museum of Art, LACMA; and Museum of Modern Art, MoMA, New York; Collections Arte, Strasbourg, France; BBC, London; Centre Pompidou, Paris and The Samawi Collection, Dubai.