Sfeir-Semler Gallery Marks 40 Years with Dual Beirut Exhibitions Highlighting Arab Contemporary Art
The Sfeir-Semler Gallery marks its 40th anniversary with two exhibitions in Beirut. 'Abstract in Motion,' a solo exhibition by Samia Halaby at Downtown, features kinetic art pieces from the 1980s through 2025, delving into the theme of abstraction. Meanwhile, 'The Shade,' curated by Jean-Marc Prevost in Karantina, presents recent works from all represented artists, inspired by Carl Jung's concept of the 'shadow.' Notable pieces include Yto Barrada's 2024 sculpture, Wael Shawky's 2006 video 'Al Aqsa Park,' Rabih Mroué's 2018 installation, and Dana Awartani's silk installation from 2024. Established by Andrée Sfeir-Semler in 1985, the gallery opened its first Beirut location in 2005, drawing 1800 visitors, with a second venue launching in 2023. Both exhibitions will be on display until 2 January 2026.
Key facts
- Sfeir-Semler Gallery marks 40 years since its 1985 founding in Kiel, Germany
- Two anniversary exhibitions run in Beirut until 2 January 2026: 'Abstract in Motion' (solo by Samia Halaby) and 'The Shade' (group show curated by Jean-Marc Prevost)
- The gallery opened its first Beirut space in Karantina in 2005 and a second in Downtown in 2023
- In 2005, the Beirut gallery welcomed 1800 visitors on its opening day despite political instability
- The gallery represented the largest number of Arab artists at documenta in 2011
- Gallery artists have been featured in national pavilions at the Venice Art Biennale, including Akram Zaatari (2013), Wael Shawky, and Mounira Al Solh
- Founder Andrée Sfeir-Semler was inspired to reconnect with Lebanon after encountering Walid Raad's work in Berlin in the early 2000s
- The gallery was among the first white cube spaces in the region, elevating Arab artists to international recognition
Entities
Artists
- Samia Halaby
- Jean-Marc Prevost
- Yto Barrada
- Wael Shawky
- Rabih Mroué
- Walid Raad
- Dana Awartani
- Akram Zaatari
- Marwan Rechmaoui
- Mounira Al Solh
- Etel Adnan
- Rayyane Tabet
- Andrée Sfeir-Semler
- Herbert Butros Khaury
- Tiny Tim
Institutions
- Sfeir-Semler Gallery
- Canvas
- documenta
- Venice Art Biennale
- Lebanese Pavilion
- Egyptian Pavilion
Locations
- Beirut
- Lebanon
- Kiel
- Germany
- Karantina
- Downtown
- Berlin
- Gaza
- Ottoman Empire