_{Sfeir-Semler Gallery Hamburg, 2016}


Marwan Kassab Bachi (1934-2016) is an internationally renowned artist, regarded as one of the pillars of modern painting in the Middle East. Living in Berlin since 1957, Marwan’s work embodies the influences of German Expressionism and Sufi mysticism from his native culture. His early works were figurative yet surreal representations of people. Since the early 70s, he increasingly focused on the face, until it became his main subject matter. Each painting is a product of several layers of faces repeatedly painted on top of each other in a flurry of color and brush strokes, in his attempt to discover the inner self, ultimately creating spiritual intensity and depth to his work.

Recent exhibition participations include: Making New Time, Sharjah Biennial 14, (2019); ARTE VIVA ARTE, Venice, Biennale (2017); Here and Elsewhere, New Museum, New York; Serralves Foundation, Porto; Barjeel Art Center, Sharjah (2014); Kunst in Berlin. 1945 bis heute, Berlinische Galerie, Berlin; Beirut Exhibition Center, Beirut (2013); Istanbul Biennial, Istanbul (2009); Museum für islamische Kunst, Berlin (2008); Darat al Funun, Amman (2004); Institute du Monde Arabe, Paris (1993); Haus der Kunst, Munich (1991). His works can be found in international collections such as Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago; Sharjah Art Foundation, Sharjah; Guggenheim, Abu Dhabi; Tate Modern, London; British Museum, London; Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris; Bibliothèque National de France, Paris; Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris; Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh; Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation, Darat al Funun, Amman; Staatliche Museen Preußischer Kulturbesitz, Berlin; Kunsthalle Bremen; National Museum, Damascus; Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburg and many more international private collections.

Marwan passed away in Berlin, Germany in 2016. His soul lives on in his paintings.