An Article by A.M. (525 words, 3 min. read)
Follow The Dreamer, a solo exhibition by artist Hoda Baalbaki, was on display at the Chaos Gallery on Sursock Street in Beirut during the month of September 2024.
This exhibition invites us into a fantastical world crafted by Baalbaki as a means of escaping life’s harsh realities. It is a response to the absurdity, cruelty, war, and ugliness that have shaken the world. But how does one find an escape when surrounded by such turmoil?
This is the very question Hoda Baalbaki addresses through her art. For her, the answer lies in the spirit of the dreamer. To follow the dreamer into this new world, where dreams reign supreme, is to reconnect with nature and preserve its purity, free from the burdens of modern life.
Connection With Nature
Baalbaki’s paintings reflect this profound connection with nature, celebrating the beauty of landscapes and vegetation. Visiting the exhibition feels like embarking on a visual journey through shapes and symbols, offering an open interpretation of the artist’s innermost thoughts. Recurring motifs in her work, such as mountains, trees, and birds, reflect her southern roots.
“My painting process is complex,” the artist explains, “because I let my subconscious guide me, revealing the conflict between worlds and the struggle with forms.”
Fascinated by the inexplicable, Baalbaki seeks to incorporate magical elements, creating a world that challenges conceptual reality. It’s an invitation to a world of healing, a visual journey that pays homage to the traditional romantic landscape.
In her dreamlike world, trees and houses become personal representations of her inner emotions, they take life yet they are reimagined through her own fantasies. Trees appear red, mountains are painted with colorful stripes, and humans seem to fall from the sky. All of this is presented in a joyful manner that brings a smile to the observer.
Visitors truly follow the dreamer on this journey through the canvases. Around 40 paintings of various dimensions are on display, and the dream begins the moment you step into the gallery. Baalbaki invites those who admire her works to enter her dream and co-create with her. You’d feel the urge to step into her large-scale canvases, immerse yourself in the vibrant colors, and live the beauty of her dream, far from the darkness of reality.
Balance Between Representation and Abstraction
Baalbaki’s works strike a delicate balance between representation and abstraction, or semi-abstraction. Recognizable subjects, shapes, and elements blend harmoniously, inviting the viewer to explore their deeper meanings. Between fiction and reality, the observer is encouraged to see how these elements interact. Her works are not mere products of her imagination but are deeply inspired by fantasies, dreams, and nature, often reflecting an inner projection.
The textures are created through layers of color, accumulation, and removal of surface elements. The diversity of mediums in her work reflects a careful balance between choice and spontaneity, with each layer inviting the viewer on a captivating visual journey.
Each artwork is a world of its own, a dreamlike reality offered to the viewer to enjoy a moment of happiness. This was a beautiful exhibition, showcasing art at its finest.
