Christie’s Arab art summer exhibition highlights Syrian artist Marwan Kassab-Bachi

Loaned from prominent institutions and private collectors across Europe and the Middle East and curated by Dr Ridha Moumni, Christie’s Chairman for the Middle East & Africa, more than 150 works by Syrian artist Marwan Kassab-Bachi are on view at the prestigious auction house in the heart of London this summer. “ Marwan: Soul in Excile” is a retrospective exhibition that traces Marwan’s unique and inspiring oeuvre from 1953 to 2024, offering a rare opportunity to delve into his world of deeply expressive portraiture and profound reflections on exile, identity, and the human condition.

The exhibition follows Marwan’s artistic journey, showing works from key periods of his career. It includes the works he produced upon his arrival in Germany, when he first embraced abstraction, and reflects on the shift in his work during the 1960s and 1970s, when he became recognised as one of the greatest figures from a new generation of figurative painters in Germany. The exhibition also features works from the 1980s, 1990s and the 2000s, up until his death. Important still life, lithographs and works on paper are also on the show that were inspired by the collaborations he did with writers from the Arab world

The non-selling exhibition showcases paintings, works on paper, and editions spanning over sex decades of the artist’s life. Yet, Marwan’s treatment of the human face as a metaphorical and psychological terrain remains one of his most iconic contributions to the contemporary art scene. Wandering through the emotional landscapes of his portraits, shaped as inner topographies, and haunted by the empty gaze of his Japanese doll paintings, rendered in exuberant colour palette, one embarks on a chronological journey through Marwan’s extensive career, from his early figurations to his iconic facial landscapes and ‘Marionette’ series.

The exhibition reflects on Marwan’s lifelong engagement with spirituality and the human condition, placing him among the most profound and original painters of the 20th century. Marwan’s art is deeply rooted in the tradition of Sufi philosophy, the ancient Oriental wisdom of the heart, which emphasises the connection of heart, soul and spirit in the unity of being. Immersing oneself in his imaginary world offered by this exhibition can be the start of an enchantment, a spiritual adventure and a secret conversation with the inner self. The central themes of his work: the human being and the silent life of things - the head and the marionette, are ever-present in his art, offering an endless variety of emotions and an all-encompassing reflection of the human soul, a vision influenced by the Sufi concept of the body as a vessel for spiritual revelation.

“Marwan: A Soul in Exile.” marks the third instalment of Christie’s Arab Art Summer Exhibition highlighting one of the most fascinating artists coming from the Arab world. The exhibition comes in partnership with Jumeirah Carlton Tower. This cultural partnership blends world-class hospitality with the power of fine art, offering guests and visitors a unique experience that honours the life and legacy of Syrian artist Marwan Kassab-Bachi. “Jumeirah’s support of this exhibition reflects its deep-rooted commitment to arts and culture, in resonance with its Arab heritage. This partnership marks a key milestone in Jumeirah’s expanding cultural strategy, following the launch of the Jumeirah Art Journey at Art Dubai 2025 and its participation to the Global Art Forum” comments Arnaud Morand, Jumeirah Arts & Culture Global Advisor about this partnership.

This collaboration reflects Jumeirah’s ongoing commitment to championing arts and culture, reinforcing its role as a majlis of global culture, conversation and connection rooted in Arabian hospitality. Across its destinations, Jumeirah strives to serve as cultural crossroads, contributing to the artistic fabric of the cities it touches.