About Ahmad Ghaddar
Born in Tyre in1994 and based in Beirut, multidisciplinary artist Ahmad Ghaddar - also known as Renoz, moved to Beirut in 2014 to pursue his studies in Fine Arts at the Lebanese University. His work mainly reflects socio-political issues of his country, where he tackles subjects of migration, economic crises and revolution. Renoz believes that art should be accessible; he primarily practices his works on the streets as a muralist and street artist.
Renoz has painted several murals in Lebanon, including ‘Tell Me About Friendship’ in Hamra, Lebanon, and participated in several group exhibitions, including the 22nd JAALA at the Yokohama Civic Art Gallery (2021), and ‘Visions of Today’ and ‘Space and Emotion Amidst Confinement’ at Galerie Janine Rubeiz (2021).
Artist Statement
“Lawen Wasel?” A question raised by an approaching van. A pause of uncertainty. Where was I really going?
I already found the van as a visually captivating space, so I started sketching it in hopes of finding some answers. I initially sketched the whole van but I ended up focusing on the rearview mirror.
Different thoughts and morals were physically manifested as decorative ornaments that hung on those mirrors.
Those reflected the driver’s character, and since I was lacking a father figure in my life, I searched for the person I ought to be in those ornaments and reflections in hopes of replacing what I was not given.
I later understood that my interest was only there to remind me of some forgotten memories I had with my father when I rode in his van and looked at him in the rear-view mirror.
What started as a journey of an unusual interest ended up in soul searching? This makes me think of all the stories other people might have experienced as I did.
So tell me, Lawen Wasel?