An Article by M. J. (544 words, 3 min. read)
The opening at Rebirth Beirut brought together a wide circle of collectors, painters, actors, writers, and critics who filled the space from the first hour. The rooms carried a vibrant atmosphere shaped by conversation, observation, and sustained attention to the paintings. Guests moved slowly from wall to wall, pausing in front of each composition while the evening unfolded through light, sound, and the steady circulation of visitors. The setting formed a meeting point for figures from across the cultural scene, each drawn by the work of Maroun Hakim and by the occasion that marked a significant moment in the current season.
A Painter of Color and Structure
Color unfolds here as a living presence that spreads across each surface with assurance and clarity. Vast blues, warm ochres, luminous reds, and radiant greens gather and expand, creating fields that carry both movement and quiet strength. Groups of figures appear within this chromatic abundance as if rising from the same flow of color, standing together in a shared space of light and vitality. Each artwork offers a sense of continuity between body and environment, between the presence of people and the breadth of painted space. The paint holds weight and energy, and the layers build a surface that feels inhabited and alive. Across the series, scale and orientation shift in a rhythm that allows the viewer to move through the works with sustained attention, guided by the richness of color and by a painterly language shaped through long experience and mastery.
Light, Color, and Atmosphere
The palette throughout the works establishes a luminous environment. Bright reds, yellows, blues, and greens are distributed across the canvases in balanced constellations that guide the eye through the surface. The color relationships create a sense of vitality that extends across the entire presentation. Each painting carries a consistent clarity of tone and a strong visual rhythm, allowing the viewer to follow the movement of color across the composition. The arrangement of works within the space reinforces this atmosphere, forming a continuous field of chromatic intensity that defines the overall experience of the presentation.
Presence of a Master
Maroun Hakim stands as a central figure within the local art scene and within the broader history of painting in the region. His work reflects decades of practice and teaching, and his presence at the opening reinforced the importance of this moment for students, colleagues, and collectors alike. Conversations gathered around the canvases as visitors discussed color, structure, and the sustained development of his visual language. The evening celebrated a body of work shaped by long dedication to painting and by a commitment to sharing knowledge through academic and artistic practice.
A Celebrated Opening
The gathering at Rebirth Beirut took place as a full house that extended through every room. Guests engaged with the paintings and with one another, creating an environment defined by attention to art and to the shared experience of viewing. The support of Dr. Tony Karam contributed to the realization of this presentation and to the atmosphere of recognition surrounding the painter. The event affirmed the role of the space as a meeting point for the cultural community and highlighted the enduring significance of Maroun Hakim within contemporary painting.
