In acrylic paintings where bright colors intertwine to transport viewers into a dreamlike world, Lebanese artist Jessy Tabet presents her works in an exhibition titled "Lebanon in Every Shade" at Rebirth Beirut.
Clustered houses, clear skies and brilliant sunshine are recurring elements in her paintings, inviting viewers into a dreamlike journey across Lebanon, from one region to another. Traveling from north to south, Tabet photographed landscapes that caught her attention before reimagining them through her brush, highlighting details of a country she has always loved and never left.
Across canvases large and small, the artist explores Lebanon's defining symbols, from its enduring cedars to its blue sea and towering mountains.
She has devoted paintings to these subjects, giving them titles inspired by their themes. Some works form artistic series, including "The Cedar" and "Little Shadows of Lebanon," which brings together scenes from different Lebanese regions.
Individual paintings capture particular moments and landscapes, such as "Batroun and the Orange Sunset" and "Coastal Reflections," which explores the Lebanese coastline. The mountains also have a place of their own, with houses and hills depicted in "Mountain Harmony."
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Tabet said she had traveled through different parts of Lebanon, discovering scenes that inspired her.
"I would photograph them and then rush back to my studio to paint them in my own way. I don't simply copy what my camera captures. I interpret what I see and complete it through my own artistic vision," she said.
Tabet believes her choice of colors reflects the beautiful Lebanon she has always seen through her own eyes.
By choosing pink as the background and dominant color in some of her works, she sought to invite viewers into a world of imagination.
"When visitors contemplate a painting, they feel as though they have entered a moment of meditation and relaxation. They leave their worries and problems behind and embark on an artistic journey through Lebanon," she explained.
Asked why houses and Lebanese architecture feature so prominently in her paintings, Tabet said: "Homes are the soul of a person, their anchor in their homeland. They embrace people's emotions, exhaustion, moments of rest, family life and sense of togetherness."
"In my view, these houses clearly reflect the Lebanese way of life, filled with emotion and tranquility despite the tragedies people face. I also focused on details such as open windows, arched balconies and red-tiled roofs to revive scenes from a heritage dear to our hearts."
In her "Cedars" series, Tabet depicts Lebanon's national symbol in meticulous detail, crowned with rich green foliage and touched with gold and white, transforming the cedar tree into a visual narrative of history.
Its sturdy roots appear to clasp two enormous hands, while branches full of life extend outward, seemingly immune to withering.
In "La Vie en Rose," a cluster of closely packed houses welcomes visitors through open doors. A closer look reveals residents going about their daily activities or enjoying moments of relaxation.
Through these scenes, Tabet preserves a sense of constant movement, giving her paintings a feeling of life and serenity.
She said Lebanon's sea, stretching along the country's coastline, has profoundly influenced her because of the stillness and clarity it inspires.
She paints its waters shimmering in the light, reflecting a way of life where warmth, tranquility and harmony come together.
Tabet considers each painting a piece of Lebanon.
"Anyone who acquires one of my paintings takes home a memory of their homeland, something they can enjoy looking at at any moment. It is like a remedy that eases the longing for home among those living abroad and soothes the wounds of war and destruction for those who remain," she said.
Part of the proceeds from painting sales will support Rebirth Beirut's humanitarian and development initiatives, which aim to revitalize the capital and rehabilitate its infrastructure, including street lighting and traffic signals.
Reflecting on her artistic approach and the meanings carried by each painting, Tabet concluded:
"I love following the path of my brush and engaging in long conversations with it. When the words stop and silence takes their place, I know the painting is finished, and I move on to another."
"With every painting, I dream and rise into a more beautiful world, where imagination has room to expand and colors are freed from the boundaries of reality."
