Silwan Ibrahim

Silwan Ibrahim (b. 1964) is a contemporary Lebanese artist who was born in Beirut.

He initially studied architecture, but switched his major to Fine Arts after three years, graduating in 1990 from the Lebanese University, National Institute of Fine Arts.

Ibrahim’s art is instantly recognisable and truly individual, characterised by a fascinating mix of characters and other motifs, often relayed in dynamic geometric shapes, especially circles, brought to life by vibrant, bold colours in oils or acrylics. Brimming with action and movement, his visually rich scenes transport viewers to another, dream-like world where make-believe, fantasy and flamboyance meet history and folklore.

Playful and injected with humour, his characters are routinely presented in motion, often in an upward movement, whether playing a game, dancing, selling fruit or in battle, surrounded by items or motifs that give the works a frenetic, frenzied feel. 

Characters from folklore that feature in his work include The Sandman, who is said to sprinkle magical sand on children’s eyes to help them get to sleep and have enjoyable dreams, according to a Scandinavian tale. Ibrahim’s work also includes eye-catching landscapes, where countryside scenes are given a multi-coloured, geometric, fantastical twist. While humour and light-heartedness are hallmarks of his work, Ibrahim also references philosophical ideas in his art, inviting audiences to ponder further on the canvas in front of them.

“Image representations may be obscure, veiled, and ambiguous, capable of creating structures of mystery,” Ibrahim says in his Artist’s Statement. “Trapping the thoughts and emotions of the viewer… The more the ambiguity, the meaning loses its sharpness and it becomes indecisive; pushing us into allusive modalities of potential sense.” 

Silwan Ibrahim’s work has been exhibited in Lebanon and abroad. In April 2021, it featured in a landmark solo exhibition, titled ‘30 days from Silwan’, organised for the opening of the Barrak Naamani art gallery in Hamra, Beirut.

Recently, his new artworks have been showcased in several Virtual Art Gallery shows through 2018 – 2020. Other solo shows include events at: Aida Cherfan Fine Art Gallery, Beirut (2007); Agial Gallery, Beirut (2000); and Circus Gallery, Beirut (2000).  

Ibrahim has also taken part in several collectives over the years, including exhibitions at: Estense Castle Museum, Ferrara, Italy (2012); Amsterdam Whitney International Fine Art, New York (2012); Rogue Studio, Chelsea, New York (2012); Courtyard Gallery, Dubai (2008); Gremillion Levant Art, Houston, Texas (2005); Bronte Art Gallery, Dubai (2003); Tunis Biennale, Tunisia (2002); and Festival du Liban Francophone, France (2001).

In addition, Silwan Ibrahim has provided the illustrations for a number of publications, including ‘Les Draperies De La Pensée’ by the poet Alain Tasso.