Karine Hochar

Born in 1970 in Beirut, Lebanon, Karine Hochar is a self-taught Lebanese Mexican sculptor.

From an early age, she has been immersed in art as she was surrounded by her painter grandfather, an aunt who is a sculptor, and her father Serge Hochar whose sensory taste is behind the iconic Chateau Musar wine. 

This encouraged her to take up drawing and painting, and eventually led to her discovery of sculpture.

The archeological, artistic and cultural treasures of her country were a great source of inspiration. Later, a twelve-year stay in Paris as they were escaping the raging civil war in Lebanon broadened my artistic horizons. Upon her return to her home country, she worked in the family’s winery before stepping in artistic creation.

She started by creating and painting on wood furniture, then designed customized cakes in her Beirut-based bakery Cup’n Cake, before moving on to sculpture.

Her first collection of bronze sculptures was completed in 2008. 

Her workshop is situated in the idyllic setting of the Cedar Mountains, overlooking the Holy valley of Qadisha, home to the famous writer and philosopher Gibran Khalil Gibran.

When modeling the clay, she creates rough surfaces with generous volumes and curves, which evoke a serene and joyful world. However, at times, it is the turmoil of political and civil unrest in the country that she chooses to transmit in her sculptures. She often works without any preliminary sketch. Experiences and emotions enrich each other until the ultimate movement is found, and each piece takes form. 

She invites you to discover her sculptures.