Spanish-Latin American theme and ‘soft power’ message to the fore at 2024 art fairThe opportunity to view works by an impressive lineup of artists in a city steeped in history and on the water’s edge has helped elevate Contemporary Istanbul (CI) to the status of ‘must attend’ event among many art lovers worldwide. This winning combination,...

From serene sunsets to scenic seascapes, the Lebanese multidisciplinary artist Nabil Ghandour weaves a tapestry of glorious colour into his ethereal, dreamlike paintings.Nabil at work in his studioWatching a sunset from a vantage point on a beach or hillside is one of those pastimes that many of us never tire of, whether it’s planned as part of...

The themes that Wissam Al Shaabi explores in his art run the gamut from human cruelty to nature’s beauty, reflecting the rollercoaster of highs and lows, and hope and despair that life so often brings.The human condition is undoubtedly a source of inspiration for many contemporary visual artists, but exploring its numerous facets can be...

In her current solo exhibition, the artist Magali Katra digs deep into the topical issue of AI and considers how we can embrace this exciting phenomenon without losing our authenticity or creativity. Magali KatraArtificial Intelligence (AI) has rarely been out of the news in recent months, so taking this topical issue as the starting point for...

Timing, it is often said, is everything. Fortunately, Jennifer Haddad, the artist and award-winning casting director and producer for film and television, knew when the moment felt right to embrace a new medium in her passion for sharing untold stories.Jennifer at workProfessional dilemmas come in all shapes and sizes, as the Beirut-based artist...

Dr Hussam Rashwan, a well-known collector and recognised authority on modern Egyptian art, takes Artscoops on a fascinating trip down memory lane, starting back in 1970s’ Alexandria, when he first discovered the local art scene, before bringing us up to date with details of how he presents his impressive 2,000-piece collection today.Dr Hussam...

Firouz Farman-Farmaian talks to Artscoops about his latest collaborative project with Qashqai Iranian rug crafters, which marks a full circle moment on what has been an epic geographical and professional journey. Portrait of Firouz Farmaian by Antalya Von PreussenSince a sense of nomadism has long sat at the heart of the life and work of the...

The Iranian artist Afarin Sajedi has garnered renown for her striking, intriguing and inspired portraits of women. Here, the director and owner of Dorothy Circus Gallery, Alexandra Mazzanti, who has curated four of Sajedi’s solo exhibitions in Italy, shares her thoughts on what sets this artist apart from her contemporaries and why her paintings...

The multi-disciplinary Lebanese artist talks to Artscoops about the infinite possibilities that the natural world offers for storytelling through art.What first prompted your interest in art and when did you decide that it was what you wanted to focus on?I’ve been interested in art as long as I can remember – certainly ever since I was a kid –...