Sumayyah Samaha

Born in 1939 in Shweir, Lebanon, New York-based artist Sumayyah Samaha focuses on abstract painting. Her choice of medium for the past thirty years has been charcoal and oil. Her previous works, characterised by a bold brushstroke and a dense palette, express the oppression of people, women especially, in war-torn countries, relating mostly to the history of her Lebanese heritage. However, Samaha’s recent works voice a new phase of joy reflected in the interconnected organic shapes and lively colours. Her works are part of the Prudential Insurance collection, the Pfizer Pharmaceutical collection and Bank Audi collection among others. Samaha has been residing in New York since 1965.