Aida Halloum

Aida Halloum is a contemporary artist who was born in Kuwait and lives in Arsal, Lebanon. She studied at the Lebanese University, mentored by the artist and educator Fatima El Hajj, graduating with a Diploma in Fine Arts from the Lebanese University in 1993. 

Halloum is known for creating vibrant, dynamic works in oil on canvas, many of which explore detailed, nature-related themes in both a rural and domestic setting. Her work has drawn comparisons with that of Etel Adnan and Saliba Douaihy, although her landscapes are less minimalist in style, instead, brimming with a diverse mix of elements, brought to life with explosions of colour, and movement. Her topics range from fields and rolling hills in a tapestry of hues stretching through the countryside and birds congregating in search of a morning feed to colourful flowers and plants, assembled in pots, brightening up an outdoor space or table. 

Halloum’s works display clever use of light and delicately treated textures. She also adopts abstraction, overlaid and skilfully combined with figuration, which adds another dimension to her art, while also enabling her to build personal emotion into a scene and location. 

Commenting in an interview undertaken for a recent solo show at Zalfa Halabi Art Gallery, Beirut, titled ‘Abstractions’ (2023), she said about her practice: “My artistic work begins with nature. I see nature as simplified colour images and transfer with my brush what I see onto the white canvas. Then I study and delve into the relationships between colours, lines, and other elements according to the image drawn in my mind. I continue making adjustments until I am satisfied with the result. Sometimes I reach a dead end and leave it for later. In fact, I do not think that the artistic work ends, but rather we are the ones who finish it because of our inability to keep up with its development and movements.”

Halloum’s work is permanently on show at Aïda Cherfan Fine Art Gallery, Antelias, where several solo exhibitions have been held, including events in 2018, 2017, 2015 and 2013. Other recent solo shows include an event titled ‘Radiance’, held at the Lebanese American University (LAU) School of Arts and Sciences, Beirut (2023), which spotlighted her ability to capture and interpret the country’s rural scenery and urban landscapes. Her work was also featured in an online solo show on Artscoops, titled ‘Abstract Dialogues’ (2022), and, earlier, at a solo exhibition at Zaman Gallery in 2005.  

Halloum has taken part in a number of group exhibitions, including an online show titled ‘Emerging from Chaos’, with Artscoops in 2022 and an event at Haigazian University (2014). 

As well as creating art, Halloum has worked as an art teacher since 1994, first at the Omar Al-Mokhtar Centre, Bekaa and most recently at the Technical School in Arsal, where she lives.