Laudi Abilama

Laudi Abilama is a Lebanese artist currently residing in Beirut. Laudi started painting at a young age, and was originally influenced by her father, as she would often watch him paint. She was born in England, and spent much of her life there before finally returning to Lebanon several years ago. In England, Laudi began feeling isolated from her cultural background. She states, “Living in the West tends to strip you of your cultural identity and being an artist, this began to make me feel as if I was becoming part of the system, as a digit, rather than an individual.”

Orientalism and Arabism have greatly influenced Laudi’s work. She is influenced by what is currently popular in the Middle East. Laudi’s work has also been influenced by how the Middle East and Arabism is misrepresented in the West. She often focuses on stereotypes within Arab society, and critiques them in subtle ways, especially in her ‘Tip of the Thread’ series. Living in England for such a large part of her life has allowed Laudi to look at the Middle East with a more critical eye. Laudi describes her work as ‘Arabian Pop.’

Artist Statement:

Tapestries and fabrics are a fundamental part of Middle Eastern culture and heritage, however they do not always reflect or express the culture they represent. My most recent collection of artworks, that make up the ‘Tip of the thread’ series, are intended to depict modern conflict in gender stereotypes, cultural identity and deal with issues that are often kept non-debated in the Middle East. Through silkscreen prints on fabrics, the images are reminiscent of the techniques and colors used in creating Persian rugs and Syrian tapestries. With contrasts of colors and elaborate details and references to western furniture items (such as the chesterfield sofa) my aim is to express my view of modern Middle Eastern culture in a slightly Western way.

Asmahan is alive, 115 x 155 cm, acrylic and silkscreen on canvas: