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Lot Essay
Painted in 2009, Sables mouvants (Quick sands) demonstrates Yvette Achkar’s remarkable command of brushwork, infusing each stroke with a harmonious blend of motion and musicality. Titled Quick sands when translated into English, the composition's centre mimics the appearance of unstable terrain. Achkar then introduces splinter-like brushstrokes in sporadic marks of pink, white, darker teal, orange, and black, disrupting the fluidity of the paint beneath. In the background, a warmer palette emerges, comprising a fusion of rich reds, purples, and pinks. This juxtaposition creates a dynamic contrast with the central form, boldly asserting itself in the foreground, resulting in Achkar's mesmerising abstract composition. Despite the apparent spontaneity of Achkar's abstract paintings, her creative process commences long before her brush touches the canvas. She dedicates hours to contemplative reflection upon the canvas, envisioning the boundless possibilities it offers. With purpose and mindful meditation, she meticulously selects her colours and forms. Her process yields abstract compositions that resonate with a profound sense of vastness, exuding an undeniable depth of spirituality and emotion.
Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 1928, Achkar's formative years were spent in Beirut, Lebanon. Originally aspiring to become a pianist, her dreams were redirected when the Lebanese National Conservatory rejected her application, setting her on a new path towards visual art. In 1947, she embarked on a transformative five-year artistic journey at the Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts under the guidance of Italian painter Fernando Manetti. Achkar initially began as a figurative painter, but soon ventured into uncharted artistic territories, particularly gravitating toward Abstract Expressionism, before joining a group of like-minded young artists who shared a commitment to pushing the boundaries of conventional art and embracing a more liberated mode of expression. Upon graduating, Achkar received a scholarship from the French government, leading her to Paris for further artistic development. In 1988, Achkar returned to Lebanon with a well-defined visual language characterised by bold colors and striking yet delicate lines. Her artwork became a powerful medium for expressing her emotions and inner self. Achkar's exhibition history spans over six decades and she has taken part in prestigious Biennales in Paris in 1959 and 1962, Alexandria in 1967, and Baghdad in 1984. Her work has been exhibited globally in institutions like the Sharjah Art Museum in 2016, and the Sursock Museum in Beirut in 2019.
Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 1928, Achkar's formative years were spent in Beirut, Lebanon. Originally aspiring to become a pianist, her dreams were redirected when the Lebanese National Conservatory rejected her application, setting her on a new path towards visual art. In 1947, she embarked on a transformative five-year artistic journey at the Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts under the guidance of Italian painter Fernando Manetti. Achkar initially began as a figurative painter, but soon ventured into uncharted artistic territories, particularly gravitating toward Abstract Expressionism, before joining a group of like-minded young artists who shared a commitment to pushing the boundaries of conventional art and embracing a more liberated mode of expression. Upon graduating, Achkar received a scholarship from the French government, leading her to Paris for further artistic development. In 1988, Achkar returned to Lebanon with a well-defined visual language characterised by bold colors and striking yet delicate lines. Her artwork became a powerful medium for expressing her emotions and inner self. Achkar's exhibition history spans over six decades and she has taken part in prestigious Biennales in Paris in 1959 and 1962, Alexandria in 1967, and Baghdad in 1984. Her work has been exhibited globally in institutions like the Sharjah Art Museum in 2016, and the Sursock Museum in Beirut in 2019.