Syrian Art

About this activity.

The Syrian Art artists Fled from Syria, connected in art. Much of their work has disappeared or been burned in their native country. They made a new start in Enschede, their hometown. 

Habib Gouriye 

Habib Gouriye (Syria, 1957) obtained his bachelor's degree in Syria. In 1985 he came to the Netherlands as a refugee and in 1991 he completed his studies at AKI ArtEZ Academy. Habib makes paintings, sculptures and graphic work, lithography and linography. In his work he is influenced by modern European art. His colorful abstract compositions simultaneously tell an old story about his Syrian mother tongue, one of the oldest languages in existence. The characters from the alphabet form the basis for his work. 'People think they see abstract work, but I depict my mother tongue', says Habib. He has had several exhibitions, both solo and joint exhibitions in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and in Sweden three times, via Suroyo TV, the Syrian TV. 

Elias Al Hamwi 

Elias Al Hamwi (Syria, 1952) graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts of Damascus University in 1979 with a specialization in Visual Communication. He works in the field of painting, where his works focus on human figures and human relationships in an expressive style close to realism. He has participated in various exhibitions and art gatherings both in Syria and abroad and his works have been exhibited in Syria, Germany and France. In addition, Elias has taught at universities and institutes in Syria, and has worked as an illustrator for children's books, magazines and schoolbooks. He also has experience in the advertising and graphic arts sectors. 

Barsoum Barsouma

Barsoum Barsouma (Al-Hasakah, Syria, 1947) graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts in Damascus in 1977 with a specialization in painting and visual arts. He worked as an expert in decoration and restoration at the Directorate of Antiquities and Museums in Damascus. He also taught art education at the Teacher Training Institute in Al-Hasakah and painting and visual arts at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Damascus. The colors red and yellow are always present in Barsouma's paintings, as they reflect his surroundings and the legacy of the colors of the Syrian island and its radiant sun. They give his artistic work an element of vitality and strength and open a wide horizon of contemplation and intimacy between the characters and scenes in his paintings. The details spread over the entire surface of the work evoke a strong sense of carnival and celebration, whether it comes from joy or sorrow. Barsouma is a member of the Syrians and Arabs Fine Art Union and has been honored many times by the Syrian Association of Fine Arts and the Taha AlTaha Museum in Raqa. He has held numerous exhibitions inside and outside Syria, and his works can be found in many Arab, European and American countries. Recently he has had several exhibitions in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. 

Jack Eliya 

Jack Eliya (Al-Malikiyah, Syria, 1957) graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts in Damascus in 1984, where he specialized in Visual Communication. He has experience as an art teacher and has had both solo and group exhibitions in Syria and abroad. His artistic style in painting is abstract. In addition to his work in theater and set design, he has also produced several literary pieces and for his design at Zorgcentrum de Posten (Enschede) he received the first prize. 

Gorge Miro 

Gorge Miro (Syria, Hasakah 1958) graduated from the Institute of Fine Arts in Damascus in 1980. He has had exhibitions both in Syria and abroad, including two solo exhibitions and a joint exhibition in the Netherlands. He uses graphic art in his works. This graphic work in black and white radiates a sobriety. It concerns small works with images of mountains and deserts. His big dream is to have a solo exhibition with 150 works about Enschede. ‘Wherever I am, it is the environment that inspires me…..’

Info Exhibition: 

• Period From 9 Oct. to 10 Nov. 2024
• Exhibition opening Sat. 12 Oct. at 16:00 by Mark van Loon. Music by Rani Elias and delicious Syrian snacks 
• Opening hours Wed. to Sun. from 13:00 to 17:00
• Free entrance

Galerie Forma Aktua.

Al decennia lang functioneert Forma Aktua Pinakotheek als een platform voor al het opkomend talent in Noord-Nederland. Tegelijk volgt de galerie ook de ontwikkelingen in de wereld van de reeds meer gevestigde kunstenaars op de voet.

Location.

Forma Aktua
Nieuwstad 10
tel 050 3133342
www.forma-aktua.nl/