Waseem Marzouki

b 1982 Al Raqqa, Syria. Lives and works in Los Angeles, USA.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Art, politics and military images collide in my work as I’m trying to explore the power systems that play in the war.

My paintings are grounded in images of tanks and soldiers, both common sights in Syria as a proxy war represented by different forces fight for control of the land and its resources.
I normally start with a central image, then layer symbols and writing in various languages over that image. The convergence of these symbols — some of which come from Shi’a, Sunni, Christian or Jewish culture — reflects the cultural diversity of the region and the many voices present in the war.

For me now, these paintings are a road map for understanding the chain of events in my country.
When I see these paintings after 10 years, if I’m still alive, I can understand what was happening there,
I can remember everything that was happening and I can tell everything, without forgetting details.
When you find writing on the tree, like [from] you and your loved one, this is the same.

 

Instagram

Vita

  • Education
  • 2013 Cinematography - Global Cinematography Institute - Hollywood - USA
  • 2007 Bachelor of Art - Damascus University - Damascus - SY
  • Solo Exhibitions
  • 2018
  • Spazio Elle - Locarno - CH
  • Castelli Art Space - Los Angeles - USA
  • 2015
  • Almarkhia Gallery - QA
  • The Institute of Islamic Cultures - Paris - FR
  • 2014
  • Meem Gallery - Dubai - AE
  • 2009
  • Waqif Art Center - QA
  • 2007
  • Gothe-Institute - Damascus - SY
  • Group Exhibitions
  • 2018
  • 16 Contemporary Artists by Enter Art Foundation - Fabrik45 - Bonn - DE
  • 2017
  • 49 Contemporary Artists by Enter Art Foundation - Kant-Garagen-Palast - Berlin - DE
  • Art Share Los Angeles - Los Angeles - USA
  • Institute of the Arab world - Paris - FR
  • 2016
  • Saatchi Gallery - London - UK
  • Castor Gallery - New York - USA
  • 2015
  • Sorbonne University - Paris - FR
  • 2013
  • DEP0 Gallery - Istanbul - TR
  • 2012
  • New Art Exchange - Nottingham - UK
  • 2011
  • Katara Art Center - QT
  • Awards
  • 2009 Director Silver Award - Tehran Film & TV Festival - Tehran - IR

To: Waseem Marzouki

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Works by Waseem Marzouki