Raouf Rifai
«My art's main subject is Humanity; it is nourished by the history of our civilization and our heritage. My work is a mirror reflecting the reality of our Middle Eastern society’s transitions and evolution» -Raouf Rifai
Born in Lebanon in 1954, Raouf Rifai lives and works in Beirut. In 1982, he received a BA in Decorative Art at the Institute of Fine Arts in Beirut, Lebanon. In 1995, after receiving a PHD in Urbanism at La Sorbonne I University in Paris, France, and began teaching at the Department of Architecture and Design of the Lebanese University in Beirut, Lebanon.
Rifai has taken part in numerous Collective shows throughout Europe, United States, Middle East and Japan. He has also had more than thirty solo exhibitions since 1984, including his latest at Sana Gallery in Singapore. In 2010, he was awarded the first prize of the Sursock Museum's Salon d'Automne in Beirut, Lebanon. His artwork has also been successfully auctioned at Christie’s Dubai.
Rifai’s visual language combines abstract symbols with references to Middle Eastern cultural heritage such as the traditional “tarboosh”, in very bright colours.
One of the recurrent themes in his work is that of the “Darwich", a simple man evolving in virtual or real spaces. Rifai’s dervishes are as diverse and colourful as Middle-Eastern society itself, with their myriad of expressions, attitudes and emotions.
Nadine Fayad Art Gallery is very proud to participate at the Beirut Art Fair for the first time exclusively with the newest artwork of Raouf Rifai.
Some Exhibitions:
2019: “Carnival of Darwichs”, Beirut Art Fair, in collaboration with Nadine Fayad Art Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon
2018: “Dialogue”, Mojo Gallery, Dubai, UAE
2015: “White Flags”, Freud Museum, London, UK
2013: “Harmony”, Farhat Art Center, California
2013: “The new Middle East”, Inforimart Center, Paris
2012: ABC Art Gallery’s exhibition, Athr Gallery, Berlin
2011: “Le Darwich de Raouf Rifai”, Mairie de Craponne, France.
2010: “Casa del Arte”, Gallery Istanbul, Istanbul
2009: LC Gallery, Spain
2007: “Arte”, Dubai Gallery, Dubai