Ahmad Moualla

Ahmad Moualla (b. 1958) is a Syrian artist who was born in Damascus. He studied at the University of Damascus, graduating in 1981 with a degree in Visual Communications from the Department of Fine Arts, and then continued his studies in Paris, obtaining a diploma in 1987 from the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs.

Having already produced and sold traditional Islamic calligraphy and paintings as a source of revenue before completing his studies, Moualla quickly established himself as a prolific multidisciplinary artist upon his return to Syria. He carved a niche as a renowned graphic artist, designing book covers, posters and murals, while also creating set designs for television, film and theatre, before focusing on painting. Accolades included winning two awards in Germany for the best international poster.

Moualla draws on the rich heritage of his birthplace and boyhood in his art, from the warm earthy colours of the natural environment to the festive gatherings he experienced. Round-the-table discussions between his family and visitors at social gatherings were also significant, helping to generate ideological and socio-political interests that he would transport to his art. 

Initially, Moualla’s work revealed the influence of the French masters he studied, whose figurative compositions featured historical scenes. However, over time, as his style evolved, his art has been described as becoming more informal in style, marked by spontaneous, expressive brushstrokes. Key societal relationships between individuals, or ‘the masses’, and the authorities, in particular, are among the themes he explores, in paintings that are large in scale and often dramatic in style or subject. A lack of features or expression in his figures reinforces the idea that his subjects represent the populus, while, at times, he utilises this approach to convey a more theatrical setting. “The crowd is part of my soul,” he has said. The incorporation of Arabic calligraphy is another hallmark of his work, with poetry sometimes introduced to give a painting an added dimension.

Moualla’s work can be found in several private and public collections worldwide. It has been shown in a number of solo exhibitions, including: ‘Combustions’, Fann A Porter, Dubai (2024); ‘Experiments’, Mark Hachem Gallery, Beirut (2014); ‘Lʼoeil Vagabond’, Meung sur Loire, France (2014); Naila art Gallery, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (2013); ‘Grey Ash’, Green Art Gallery, Dubai (2011); ‘Experiments’, Mark Hachem Gallery, Beirut (2011); ‘Uncertainty’, Gallery am Berg, Germany (2010); ‘Word: The body of the dialogue’, Municipality of Athens, Arts Centre, Athens, Greece (2010); ‘4x4=52’, Art House Gallery, Damascus (2009); ‘New Works’, Green Art Gallery, Dubai (2009); Atassi Gallery, Art Dubai, Dubai (2009); ‘Ahmad Moualla’s Orient’, Sultan Gallery, Kuwait (2008); ‘Homage to Antoine Maqdessi and Antoine Al Jammal, Art House Gallery, Damascus (2007); ‘Experiments’, Alriwaq Gallery, Bahrain (2007); ‘Ahmad Moualla’, Istanbul (2006); and ‘Clay’, the German Cultural Institute (Goethe) Damascus (2004).

Moualla has also taken part in several group shows, including: ‘Works from the Fann Collection’, Fann A Porter, Dubai (2024); ‘Syrian Symphony: new compositions in sight and sound’, Aga Khan Museum, Toronto, Canada (2017); ‘Nightfall’, MODEM Centre for Modern and Contemporary Arts, Debrecen, Hungary (2012); ‘Written Images. Contemporary Calligraphy from the Middle East’, Sundaram Tagore Gallery, Hong Kong (2012); ‘New Horizons: Art from Syria’, Contemporary Istanbul, Turkey (2009); ‘Signs: Contemporary Arab Art’, Sundaram Tangore Gallery, New York (2009); ‘Syrian Modern Art’, Souq Waqif, Doha, Qatar (2008); ‘Beyond Words: Contemporary Calligraphy from the Middle East’, Kaysha Hildebrand Gallery, Zurich, Switzerland (2007); ‘Syria meets Syria’, New Gallery, Graz, Austria (2002); and‘Glimpse at Arab Modern Art’, Institute du Monde Arabe, Paris (2001); 

Moualla taught at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Damascus for several years. Today, he lives and works in Paris.