Samir El Sayegh

Samir Sayegh

Born in Lebanon in 1945, Samir Sayegh lives and works in Beirut.

Master calligrapher, art critic, historian, poet, writer and researcher, Sayegh is the author of several studies and articles on contemporary and Islamic art. He was a lecturer at the Architecture and Graphic Design Department of the American University of Beirut from 1993-2007. Sayegh has exhibited across the Arab World and in Europe, and has also created works for buildings and mosques.

He is considered as one of the most avant-garde Arab master calligraphers and was recently honored during the first biennial of Sharjah for Arabic calligraphy.

Samir Sayegh takes Arabic letters beyond the formal aesthetic of Arabic calligraphy. He presents them as universal forms and signs in which meaning emerges from the relationship between lines.

Education

• Saint Savior Convent (Joun, Lebanon)

• History of Art program at Ecole des Beaux arts (Paris, France).

Experience

• Art critic at the following publications: Lissan Al-Hal newspaper (1968-1970), Al-Anwar newspaper (1970-1980), Finoun Arabia magazine-London (1978-1982), Mawakef magazine (1969-1985), Al-Kifah Al-Arabi magazine (1982-1990), Fann magazine (1989-1991).

• Various studies and articles on contemporary and Islamic art in other specialized journals and publications.

• Jury member at Sursock Museum (1991 to date).

• Lecturer at Graphic Design Dept – American University of Beirut (1993 to 2007).

Publications

• Maqam al-qaws wa ahwal al-sahm, poetry, 1980.

• Islamic Art - A reading into its philosophy & aesthetic characteristics, 1988.

• Contemporary Art in Syria, 1998 (co-editor).

• Muthakarat Al Huruf, poetry, 2003.

Exhibitions (Arabic calligraphy)

1983: Galerie Elissar, Beirut

1987: Kulturzentrum, Kaslik

1988: Goethe Insitut, Tripoli

1988: Hariri Cultural Centre, Saida

1992: Galerie 50 x 70, Beirut

1996: Galerie 50 x 70, Beirut

1997: Galerie Atassi, Damascus

2003: Agial Art Gallery, Beirut

2004: First Sharjah Biennale for Calligraphy – Special Guest Exhibit

2006: British Museum – Contemporary Arab Art (Collective Exhibition).

2009: Agial Art Gallery, Beirut.

2014: Agial Art Gallery, Beirut.

Selective Executed Work

Applied Works

• Moucharrabias of Omari Mosque – Beirut.

Wood and marble. Supervision: Yussef Haydar, architect.

• Ceiling of Assila showroom.

Copper. Supervision: Yussef Haydar, architect.

Calligraphy for Books & Magazines

• “Al Namus Al Sharif”.

Publisher: Balamand University. Supervision: Saad Kiwan.

• History of Banks in Lebanon

Publisher: Audi Bank. Supervision: Saad Kiwan.

• “Mediterranean Affairs” magazine (“Shu’un Al Awssat”).

• “Oriental Arts” magazine (“Funun Sharqiah”).

Selective Logos

• Audi Institution – Saida.

• Soap Museum – Saida.

• Boutique “Liwan” – Paris.

• Mena Jet – Arab Airline Company.

Supervision: “Mind The Gap”.

• Syndicate of Engineers – Beirut & Tripoli.

Supervision: Leyla Musfi.

• Beiteddine Festival.

Supervision: Leyla Musfi.

• The South for Construction Company.

Supervision: Leyla Musfi.