An artist proving you should never give up
Farah
Abdel-Elah Malhas' art studio containing all her work was completely destroyed during the
recent explosion in Beirut.
Despite the tragedy, she picked up her tools, created new work and is ready to
showcase her mixed media art at this year’s World Art Dubai. Check out her artwork and come support
her at World Art Dubai, stand number A10.
World Art Dubai in a
conversation with Farah Abdel-Elah to tell you about her
journey
Tell us about yourself and your art journey
thus far. Please talk about exhibitions you have participated in, awards won, genre of art, etc:
Art has always been an intrinsic hobby; I am a self-taught creative. Although
I got accepted into Central St. Martins I was not allowed to attend. Back then, you were supposed to become a
doctor or a lawyer, being an ‘artist’ was not taken seriously and was greatly frowned upon; after
all, “how could art pay for water and bread?”
No matter where life took me, I would always find something to paint or draw on,
anything. Note books, walls, upcycled cardboard, canvases, you name it.
Although I was not allowed to see him often, my late father (who himself was an
architect, world renowned inventor, and artist) used to tell me never to stop, he used to stress that I keep
painting and just keep creating.
My dad used to say; “an artist never makes mistakes, never erase
anything.” This has become the focal point of my self expression. I use mixed media (predominantly oil,
acrylic, and spray paint) on large canvases (my signature size being 200 x 180cm). I combine heavy Arabic poetic
versus with fun Destiny/cartoon characters to get a specific message across. It is a wonderful thing to see how
my work relates to the onlookers, children are mesmerized by the characters and colors, while adults are taken
on a personal emotional journey of sorts. The calligraphy and paint in my work bleeds, this is to symbolize the
tears that I have cried over my father’s passing. It is messy and sometimes incomplete, just like
life.
Perhaps I have held three exhibitions in total, the most important being a memorial
I had for my late father, it included 63 pieces of his works (the age he was when he passed) and several of mine
to lessen the morbidity of the situation. I wanted people to celebrate life and not mourn the loss.
What made you open this café? Any
story behind this creation of yours?
The café was named AFAF after my maternal grandmother. It
was based on recipes I watched her create an infinite amount of times as a child. I wanted to give people a
glimpse into my world, to invoke nostalgia. The shop itself became a hybrid space of art and memories, it served
as an homage to family members and things long gone.
Insisting on an authentic feel, I filled the space with actual
items once owned by my family; from plates used to serve infinite meals, to measuring cups and spoons that my
grandmother so masterfully commanded, to wall fixtures and portraits that once adorned our household walls, and
even vintage hand embroidered pillow casings.
The shop was supposed to be a safe space built on love and
acceptance
Where everyone and anyone was welcome.
How has it been for you recovering from the unfortunate
incident?
I do not know if we have recovered, or if any of us ever will. What
happened was so surreal, really it is beyond my comprehension. Those of us who were lucky enough to somehow
escape physically unscathed have only God to thank.
My shop was 500m away from the sight of the explosion and was
completely destroyed. In seconds, all the hard work reduced to nothing but absolute rubble.
My home, located in Achrafieh area, was also badly damaged.
Honestly, I am just so very grateful to be alive.
What are the next steps in your journey to highlight
your art and bring back your café?
I have decided to take what happened as a challenge, I am currently
starting from scratch and working on a plethora of canvases for World Art Dubai 2020. Regarding the
café, my friends aim to create a GoFundMe account in hopes of raising some money to cover the mammoth
losses. If enough money is raised, I would like to open a small grab and go version of the place.
Because I need a breath of fresh air. I want to be surrounded by
positivity and happiness rather than sorrow and complete despair. Beirut is no more; we are literally living in
an Armageddon.
Being at WAD surrounded by all things art would be the best form of
therapy. The colors have an ability to life your spirits up. The hustle and bustle there would, at least
momentarily, take my mind off of things. Seeing how people interact with my work would bring happiness to my
soul. I just want to be engulfed in positivity.