Claude Hatem

Claude Antoine Hatem is a Lebanese artist and creative professional who was born in Beirut. He studied at the Grand Lycée Franco-Libanais before furthering his studies at the Institut Supérieur d’Art et de Publicité (ISAP) in Paris, graduating in 1993 with a diploma in Art et Publiciteé.

Hatem developed a passion for drawing as a child. As a left-handed dyslexic, he found writing extremely challenging and often turned to sketching to express himself. This early experience shaped his fundamental approach to art as a key means of communication rather than for decorative purposes. 

“Drawing became my preferred way to express my feelings,” he explained. “In time I began adding bright colours to make my drawings more uplifting, and this aspect of my practice stayed with me.”

In his artistic practice, Hatem creates bold, graphic portraits and abstract compositions constructed from fragmented, textured planes of vibrant colour. Drawing inspiration from Jean-Michel Basquiat, his works combine the raw energy of neo-expressionism with pop art’s clarity and saturated palette. The paintings establish a dynamic tension between structured, hard-edged forms and looser, energetic backgrounds, with each piece driven by instinct rather than calculation. Working primarily in acrylics, his spontaneous approach allows emotion and feelings to guide the work, with colour and form serving as vehicles for his deeply personal messages.

Hatem has enjoyed a successful career spanning over 30 years in the advertising and communication industry, including roles as creative director at multinational agencies in Lebanon and abroad. However, in recent years, he has devoted increasing attention to his fine art practice.

Today, his paintings are held in private collections across the Middle East region.