An Article by A. V. (671 words, 4 min. read)
In the vibrant heart of Hamra, at Multaqa Al Saffir, a very special exhibition opened its doors on April 23: Flourish, a celebration of life, innocence, and emotional truth through the eyes and hands of visual artist Maha Abou Chacra. Curated by Dr. Tony Karam, who recognized and highlighted her unique talent, this exhibition is a poetic burst of color and imagination — a true gift to the Lebanese art scene.
A Joyful and Lively Opening
The opening night of Flourish was a joyful gathering, full of energy and emotion. Collectors, friends, and lovers of art filled the warm space, all drawn to Maha’s luminous universe. Conversations floated in the air like laughter, and everywhere one turned, there were smiles touched with wonder. Maha, radiant among her works, shared her vibrant, honest world with those who came to celebrate her journey.
The Childlike Gaze: More Than Innocence
At first glance, Maha’s paintings seem playful, even childlike. Portraits are drawn as cartoons or flooded with colors bursting with emotion, suggesting a spontaneous, joyful spirit. Yet behind this apparent simplicity lies a profound emotional depth. Her art, inspired by a symbolic childhood language, transcends naivety: it becomes a language of truth, of forgiveness, of stories too complex for adult words. In every brushstroke, there is both laughter and mourning, freedom and vulnerability.
Stories That Move the Soul
Among the many colorful canvases, one painting touches the heart with particular force. It tells the story of a little girl who lost her father — a father whose absence was never fully explained to her. Maha captures this silent wound not with dark colors or heavy symbolism, but with delicate honesty. The emotional weight is hidden behind playful forms, making the painting even more powerful. In Maha’s world, pain and joy coexist, just as they do in life itself.
A Perfect Dialogue Between Art and Space
The curation of the exhibition itself is an artwork. The paintings are hung directly on the textured walls of Multaqa Al Saffir, walls washed with broken stones and faded colors, bearing the marks of time. Maha’s works do not impose themselves on the space; they seem to grow out of it, blending naturally with the surfaces as if the walls and paintings were one living entity. It is as if the paintings were born from the stones themselves — fragile yet eternal, tender yet resilient.
The Power of Color and Media
Maha’s fearless use of color, her playful mixing of media, and her instinctive approach to form set her apart. There is a high sensitivity in the way she chooses and combines materials, a confidence in letting colors tell their own stories. Every canvas feels alive, breathing with a life force that goes beyond technique. Her colors are pure because they are drawn from something pure within her: a love for nature, for the silent spaces between words, and for the small, often invisible miracles of life.
A Talent Revealed and Celebrated
Thanks to the sharp eye and profound care of Dr. Tony Karam, Maha’s talent has found a stage worthy of her emotional honesty. His curation allowed her artworks to shine with authenticity, preserving their raw, free spirit while framing them with dignity and respect. Together, artist and curator offered the audience an experience not only of seeing, but of feeling — an invitation to return to that pure place inside each of us where creativity is still innocent, still brave.
Flourishing Through Art and Love
Flourish is more than an exhibition; it is a personal and collective reminder that despite pain, loss, and chaos, the human spirit can still grow wild and free. Through Maha Abou Chacra’s art, we are reminded that flourishing is not about perfection or certainty — it is about embracing life with all its colors, with all its scars and all its songs. Her work tells us that in the brokenness of the world, there is still beauty; in every silent sorrow, there is still the chance for rebirth.
