As a Syrian, Kais Salman’s homeland provides him with plenty
of inspiration for his paintings. The contemporary art pieces use satire to
subvert the normalisation of greed, vanity, and ideological extremism.
Salman says each of his series of works has sought to
reflect a type of psychological violence that occurs when excess becomes
rationalised and accepted by societies. Terrorism, consumerism, cosmetic
surgery, and the voyeurism of the digital age have all served as topics of
Salman’s carnival-esque compositions.
Born in Tartous, Syria in 1976, Salman now lives and works
in Beirut. He received a Bachelor of Arts from the Faculty of Fine Arts,
Damascus in 2002. His paintings are currently housed in private collections
throughout the Middle East, North Africa and Europe.
Solo and group exhibitions include the Alexandria Biennale
(2014); Ayyam Gallery DIFC, Dubai (2014, 2010); Ayyam Gallery Beirut (2015,
2014, 2012); Ayyam Gallery Al Quoz, Dubai (2014, 2011, 2010); Damascus Museum
of Modern Art (2009); The Park Avenue Armory, New York (2008); Carthage
Festival for Coast Mediterranean Sea Artists, Tunisia (2005).
In May 2010, a work from his Fashion Series appeared on the
cover of the Wall Street Journal’s Weekend Edition magazine, a first for an
Arab artist.
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