War and Hope Art Exhibition

Syrian Art exhibition at ArtServe Miami curated by artist-curator Tony Khawam in-person tours and online virtual Zoom and Facebook Live MidEastern cultural lectures, performances, music, and Syrian culinary talks: Sept 1 to Oct 28, 2020

MIAMI, Fla. (Sept 3, 2020) —Throughout the history of human conflict, entire cultures have often been all but obliterated simply through the weaponized destruction of artwork.  But in war-torn Syria beset for years by suffering, death and chaos, the resilience of its artists perseveres in conveying the nation’s urgent story worldwide.

ArtServe, South Florida’s award-winning arts services organization that is advancing the arts for social good, will help Syrian artists deliver their message in a full-scale exhibition entitled “Emerging Art From War-Torn Syria: War & Hope” that will run both virtually and in-person from Tuesday, September 1 through Wednesday, September 30.  The show coincides with ArtServe’s limited re-opening on September 1.

Curated by Syrian American artist Tony Khawam of Miami and New York, together with ArtServe Curator Sophie Bonet, “War & Hope” showcases works by Syrian American and Syrian artists who began a new phase of their artistic careers in response to the Syrian War. Their paintings weave contemporary images of the physical and virtual worlds together with emotions wrought by the war and memories from their cultural heritage.

“War & Hope” represents two generations of artists who have enjoyed long careers in contemporary visual art both within Syria and abroad. Some traveled to Europe and America, where they earned advanced degrees, and others returned to Syria, where they are still living and working.  American and German expressionism thus influences much of the work on display.

“Their paintings are a grand testimony of human suffering and survival whether spiritual or physical, especially in times of war,” Khawam explained, adding that several of the artists who have returned to live in Syria serve as professors of art at Damascus University have influenced many of the new artists in the “War & Hope” exhibition.

Free Virtual Events

A full slate of free “War & Hope” virtual events has been scheduled for “ArtServe Live.” All events are accessible via Facebook Live or Zoom on the ArtServe Facebook events page here:

Thurs., Sept. 33 to 4 p.m. | ArtChat & Lecture About Syrian American History by Artist and Curator Tony Khawam
An introduction to the “War & Hope” and a lecture on Syrian-Lebanese American history and Syrian arts and culture contributions to the United States.

Tues., Sept. 8 | 6 to 7 p.m. | Film Screening of “The Arab Americans” by Film Director Abe Kasbo
Screening of the documentary film entitled “The Arab American Experience,” followed by a Q&A session with the film’s director, Abe Kasbo.  

Wed., Sept. 9 | 6 to 7 p.m. | Middle Eastern Melodies:  Music & Poetry by singer/Poet Jorge Kouz and Organist Tony Tahan
Special performance and demonstration of classical Aleppian and Andalusian music.

Wed., Sept. 16 | 6 to 7 p.m. | Syrian Food Talk and Q&A with TED Talk & Food Blogger Tony Tahhan 
Presentation: What Syrian cuisine can teach us about Humanity.

Tony Khawam’s Vision of Syria’s War-torn Cities, Aleppo Urban Landscapes at Artexpo NY ’18

Khawam Gallery presents four contemporary artists at Artexpo New York, April 19-22, 2018, Booth 716 – SAVE THE DATE –
The 40th anniversary of Artexpo NY is gearing up to be an unforgettable experience featuring world-class art, special events, and live entertainment. Join Khawam Gallery at Booth 716 for this unforgettable art experience.

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Tony Khawam at Art Palm Beach, Florida – Jan-17-21, 2018

Art Palm Beach Jan 17-21, 2018 – Khawam Gallery featured 3 contemporary artists, Tony Khawam’s new collection, Aleppo Urban Landscapes, presents a semi-abstract vision of Syria’s war-torn cities. Jeff Whyman’s Steel Figures and ceramics. Armenian-Lebanese Mkrtich Mazmanian’s Figures Bronze & Marble sculptures.

Highlights from the exhibition and Voyage MIA a Miami life style magazine interview.

 

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WEST PALM BEACH, Jan 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — KhawamGallery announces its participation in ArtPalmBeach 2018 Booth #N134 features 3 contemporary artists, Tony Khawam’s new collection, Aleppo Urban Landscapes, presents a semi-abstract vision of Syria’s war-torn cities. Jeff Whyman’s Planar abstract Steel Figures and Ceramics. Armenian-Lebanese Mkrtich Mazmanian’s abstract Figurative Sculptures in bronze and marble.

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Art Palm Beach is an international contemporary art fair at Palm Beach County Convention Center, West Palm Beach, FL will be celebrating its 21st edition.

Khawam stopped painting in 2001 after the events of 9/11, but picked up his brush again in 2015 influenced by the Syrian crisis. “My primary focus is of my birthplace–the city of Aleppo with urban scenes of collapsed apartment floors, fallen balconies, curved rooftops and punched holes in the building facades. My aim is not to focus on the politics of the conflict but to raise awareness to the tragedy” explained Khawam, whose family immigrated to the US in 1976 and became a naturalized citizen five years later (TonyKhawamArt.com). “Viewers at first glance see and experience both the sadness of the scene and at the same time a hopeful feeling” explained Juliana Morello, the curator of BaileyArts.org in Ft Lauderdale.

Whyman has been exploring the expressive possibilities of sculptures for more than four decades creating large-scale abstract expressionistic steel figures and ceramics – performing fanciful arabesques, frenetic leaps or playful pivots – radiate a loose-limbed exuberance based on exaggeration of posture and precarious balance. The Planar abstract figures recall Picasso’s expressionistic Paintings of Dancers, their silhouettes displaying a fluidity similar to line drawing. Instead of dominated by the ponderous formalism characteristic of much steel sculpture.

Mazmanian is an Armenian-Lebanese artist known for his abstract figurative sculptures in bronze and marble. His art emphasizes clean geometrical lines that balance forms inherent in his materials with the symbolic allusions of representational art reminiscent of Brancusi’s Bird in Space sculpture. He has held exhibitions across the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Russia and USA.

RECEPTION: Wed, Jan 17, 6pm – 10pm
VENUE: ArtPalmBeach WPB Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd, WPB, FL

Khawam Gallery in Art Basel Art Miami at Red Dot Miami – 12/6-10/2017

Tony Khawam Gallery Presents “Spiritual Vessels” at Red Dot Art Miami, FL – 12/6-10, 2017 and at Bailey Contemporary Arts Gallery, Pompano Beach (Ft Lauderdale, FL 12/1, 2017 to 1/5, 2018.

Featuring Artist Tony Khawam’s Vision of Syria’s War-torn Cities, Urban Landscapes Paintings & Jeff Whyman’s Intergalactic Vessel Sculptures.

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Tony Khawam Gallery ( Tony Khawam Art ) announces its participation in Art Basel Miami Week, Red Dot Miami, Booth #R624 and presents “Spiritual Vessels” features the paintings of Tony Khawam and the ceramic sculptures of Jeff Whyman. Khawam’s new collection, Aleppo Urban Landscapes, presents a semi-abstract vision of Syria’s war-torn cities and Whyman’s “Intergalactic Vessels” that shares a spiritual connection. Red Dot Miami exhibitions are curated gallery-only of contemporary art, now in its 12th year, this year titled [IMPACT] as the curatorial theme for 2017. Art not only reflects society but also influences it.

Khawam stopped painting in 2001 after the events of 9/11, but picked up his brush again in 2015 influenced by the Syrian crisis. “My primary focus is of my birthplace–the city of Aleppo with urban scenes of collapsed apartment floors, fallen balconies, curved rooftops and punched holes in the building facades. My aim is not to focus on the politics of the conflict but to raise awareness to the tragedy” explained Khawam, whose family immigrated to the US in 1976 and became a naturalized citizen five years later.

“Viewers at first glance see and experience both the sadness of the scene and at the same time a hopeful feeling” explained Juliana Morello, the curator of BaileyArts.org (BaCA) in Pompano Beach (Fort Lauderdale), where the two artists also showcasing there works during Art Miami Week. In conjunction with BaCA and Red Dot Miami exhibitions, a catalogue 50 pages is available for sale at the exhibitions and on the website.

Khawam’s paintings Reddotmiami.com/tony-khawam and Whyman’s sculptures Reddotmiami.com/jeff-whyman are perfect collaboration on this unique exhibition that draws viewer’s attention to the heritage of both artists transforming ancient skills into contemporary art in a methodology of presenting their works with a similar expressive approach. The first artist with acrylic paint and the later with ceramics, both artists have similar inclination on introducing contemporary works to the art world.

“The theme of this year exhibition will astonish viewers, curators and art collectors by his sensitivity to the subject matter with an expressionist style and the manipulation of paint to create a unique way of expressing the idea that our visions of war are structured through our own varying positions.” Explained Mel Lehman the director of CommonHumanity.org, a non-profit organization based in NYC.

Khawam met Whyman during the latter’s solo exhibition at Rosenbaum Gallery in Boca Raton and felt an instant affinity for his work. “Jeff’s work reminds me of the ancient clay pottery and sculptures I grew up seeing in the national museums of Aleppo and Damascus.” said Khawam.

RECEPTION: Wed, Dec 6, 6pm – 10pm – FREE with Gallery VIP invitation
VENUE: Red Dot Miami, 1700 NE 2nd Ave. (NE 17th Street) Miami, FL 33132

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Syria – Aleppo Urban Landscapes Exhibitions (October 2017)

Tony Khawam exhibiting semi abstraction of “Tech, Speed and Urbanism” New York Metro Area works from the last decade and recent works of Syria – Aleppo Urban Landscapes series.

An Exhibition of Invited Florida Artists to exhibit, perform, and engage audiences during the 2017 Florida International Trade and Cultural Expo (FITCE) in October 17 and 18, 2017 at Broward County Convention Center.

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For information on Florida International Trade & Cultural Expo, please visit: http://www.broward.org/EconDev/WhatWeDo/Pages/FITCE.aspx

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For information on Little Haiti Cultural Center exhibition “Truth and Reconciliation”, please visit:

Aleppo Paintings – Urban Landscapes

Recent paintings by Syrian American artist Tony Khawam exhibited at Art Boca Raton 2017 from March 15-19 with over 150 international artists from 45 galleries participated in the 2nd International Pavilion of the Palm Beaches at the research campus of Florida Atlantic University. The opening gala was for the benefit of Boca Raton Museum of Art and the Art school.

Tony presented clustered paintings series of 8 and 15 clustered to form one artwork of Aleppo Urban Landscapes. The urban scenes are in a war torn Aleppo city, despite massive destructions, the artist managed to switch the focus from hunting, disturbing scenes to colorful playful neighborhoods scenes. The paintings executed expressively by applying his signature strokes of accumulative lines and used limited but colorful palette focusing on hopes and resiliency of the human spirits without showing human suffering.  Paintings of streets piled up with fallen building materials, scenes of building facades, balconies, collapsed floors and aerial views of various Aleppo neighborhoods.

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Aleppo Urban Landscapes No.2

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Aleppo Urban Landscapes No.1