OLD SOUK

Haibat Balaa Bawab is a Lebanese Artist mainly known for her collage artworks. Haibat Balaa weaves narratives of Beirut and its people in her collages and in her oil paintings that are clones of collage. Born in the city and having lived in it all of her life, the day-to-day scenes have had an effect on her and were translated in the artworks through her own style of art. She assembles fragments gathered from popular sources, such as magazines, stamps and bills to chart the fabrics of the city. She composes figurative images using abstract media. Scenes from the village, the harvest and the old times come into her mind. Carpets, rugs and oriental tapestry are found as a reminder of times of serenity and relaxation and are thus a recurring theme in her artworks. From the haute bourgeoisie’s houses to the floral and polychromatic patterns of peasants, refugees and beggars, Balaa employs different cut-outs as a signifier status. Her mastery of technique allows her to see and analyze forms and proportions and to create very balanced compositions. She is sensitive for finding the moment but at the same time pays attention to preserve a style that is unique to her.