Marionnette

Though born in Damascus, acclaimed artist Marwan moved to Berlin in 1957 where he currently resides. He is recognised for his contributions to the internationalisation of Arab contemporary art and his application of the Post-Modern movement to Syrian art. Marwan is acclaimed for his expressionist renditions of the human figure, head and marionette. In his depictions of marionettes, he avoids the obvious intimacy and struggle of personal identity involved in depicting a living model, yet he manages to reflect his emotional experience on a deeper level.

Considering Marwan's background yields additional insights to his portrayal of marionettes as he alludes to the destiny of the Syrian people, who like puppets, are victims of social conflicts.

The empty background emphasises the emptiness of the lifeless marionette, though both are disguised with bright paints as a form of disguise to veil the void of soul and depth. Marwan however creates a space of hope for the marionette. Though haphazardly thrown down, the figure's eyes gaze hopefully off canvas and its body appears to be crawling towards the same direction. In this piece, the artist challenges notions of what constitutes spirit versus life, perhaps suggesting the imminence of a spiritual adventure for both the subject and the viewer.

Despite the silent nature of his marionette, Marwan proves it a strong mirror of the human soul. Building his image with a rich texture and tone, the artist reveals the kaleidoscope of his own intimate, yet somehow universal and spiritual, experiences.