Laure Ghorayeb

Born in Der El Qamar (1931 – 2023), Ghorayeb was not only a celebrated painter, but also a published author, cultural journalist and critic, including, most recently, on Annahar newspaper. From 1966 onwards, Ghorayeb’s work was shown in a number of solo and collective exhibitions across the world, spanning the Arab countries, North Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia. Her artistic practice is entwined in her role as an artist, but also as a poet, journalist and witness of Lebanon’s recent history. She obsessively documented the people and events in her life, charting their experiences of living through political conflicts, alongside their moments of personal happiness. Her work depicts personal experiences of loss through animated but profoundly irreverent and bold characters.

From 2001 onwards, her work featured in several solo and group exhibitions at Galerie Janine Rubeiz, including shows held together with her son Mazen Kerbaj and the artist Huguette Caland. Her art was showcased at Art Dubai Modern (2014) and regularly at Abu Dhabi art fairs. Other exhibitions featuring her work have included: ‘Convergence – New Art from Lebanon’ (2010) at the Katzen Art Center of the American University in Washington DC and ‘Pinceaux pour Plumes’ (2006) at the Sursock Museum. In addition, she took part in ‘Home Beirut: Sounding the Neighbors’ (2017) at the MAXXI Museum in Rome and ‘Laure et Mazen: Correspondance(s)’ at the Sursock Museum in 2019. Ghorayeb’s work can be found in a number of prominent collections, including the British Museum, the Sursock Museum and ‘Fondation Saradar’.