An Article by A. V. (662 words, 4 min. read)
In the beginning of the 2025 season, and specifically on January 7, Galerie Cheriff Tabet opened the solo exhibition of Naja Kerellos to start the year with art and hope in Beirut,
Naja Kerellos, born in 1984 in Byblos, Lebanon, is an artist who began his creative journey since only a few years. While art was always a part of his spirit, his professional life initially took a different path, working for over a decade in business. In 2019, however, he embraced his passion for art, finding a deep, fulfilling connection with the textures, colors, and emotions that would shape his work. A self-taught artist, Kerellos relies on his natural talent and experimentation, rather than formal academic training. Drawing inspiration from the historic alleys of Byblos, the vibrant dynamics of human psychology, and the social environments that have left their mark on him, his art is both deeply personal and universally evocative.
Human Emotions and Beyond
Kerellos’s Quarrels series delves into the tumultuous realm of human emotions and relationships. Through abstract compositions, he deeply portrays the tension, fragmentation, and reconciliation that accompany arguments and misunderstandings. The series is an exploration of conflict, not as a destructive force, but as a natural aspect of human connections that can lead to understanding and growth. Each painting captures the intricate interplay of emotions. We could feel through his paintings, anger, passion, frustration, and love, that define the human experience.
One of the standout pieces from the series is a vibrant work on a lime-green background. The painting feels like an eruption of discord, with fragmented black and blue shapes scattered across the canvas. The occasional streaks of red inject intensity, hinting at the heated emotions at the heart of an argument. The chaotic arrangement of shapes and textures conveys a sense of unresolved tension, while the bold, contrasting colors suggest the depth of passion that drives human quarrels. Yet, the balance between the abstract elements hints at a possible resolution, as though the fight might eventually give way to understanding.
Another notable work from the series, a muted composition on a gray background, offers a more introspective perspective on conflict. Here, the shapes are less scattered, but the tension is palpable. A small burst of orange, centrally located, serves as a focal point, symbolizing the core emotion (perhaps love or pain) that sparks the quarrel. The controlled yet dynamic strokes suggest a quieter, more reflective disagreement, one that may not erupt outwardly but resonates deeply within.
Expressing the Essence of Life
Kerellos’s work reflects his belief that art is not just a visual medium but a way of expressing the raw essence of life. He approaches his subjects with realism and optimism, blending practicality with an unrestrained passion for creativity. His artistic process, grounded in self-discovery and introspection, allows him to create pieces that resonate universally while remaining deeply personal.
Through Quarrels, Kerellos invites viewers to confront the emotional intricacies of human relationships. His abstract interpretations go beyond the superficiality of verbal arguments, delving into the layers of emotion that provokes them. By doing so, he encourages a deeper understanding of how conflicts, despite their pain, are essential to growth and connection. Each painting, equally to a situation of conflict, is a dialogue, a moment of pause to reflect on our shared humanity and the emotions that drive us to quarrel, communicate, reconcile, and grow.
In Quarrels, Naja Kerellos transforms the raw, messy reality of human arguments into visual poetry, demonstrating that even in discord, there is beauty to be found, there is more love to be shared. His journey as an artist, from a life in business to becoming an expressive, self-taught painter, mirrors the themes of his work: moments of tension and uncertainty ultimately leading to clarity and purpose. Through his art, Kerellos captures the essence of what it means to be human, making his work not only visually compelling but emotionally profound.
