Video by: Hussam Hariri, Courtesy to Ginane Makki Bacho and Hussam Hariri

Ever since we meet two years ago and I got the chance to know her up close and personal, luckily not miss any group or solo exhibitions since 2012 until today, I got to spend an unforgettable day at Ginane Makki Bacho‘s studio with my friend/artist Alice Al Khatib where the established Lebanese avant-garde artist openly shared many memories of her art journey with coffee and fatayer!

The vibrant and bright studio is located in Cornich Al Mazra’aa in madest Beirut city, filled with unique pieces and breathtaking art by Ginane Makki Bacho who is a comprehensive artist in all means! Paintings, printmaking, sketches, sculptures, installation of war in the center of main hall. This sun-kissed studio can definitely turn into museum and worth a visit by art lovers with taste!

 

 

Ginane’s studio was tidy and clean – although she says its not at its best! well pics will prove who’s view is true! – lots lots of tools and mediums any artist would want to have them all! Plus you will notice who every corner of the space is decorated feminine touch i guess?! 

 

The studio doesn’t only have artworks by Ginane, but also “bits & pieces” from all over the world that artist relates with nostalgia; good memories of places she visited and people she met and lots lots of books and family photos. I also found out how much Ginane loves collecting stones and gems, she has a huge collection of them with different sizes and forms…

“I love anything and everything related to earth… These pieces don’t only captures memories I lived but also the feeling and smell of it” Ginane Makki Bacho

 

 

 

 

 

Now comes my favorite part! Ginane Makki Bacho carries endless amount of paintings and sculptures never been shown and some were exhibited in museums and galleries around the world… Works that reflect the love she has for her city, Beirut and its symbolic Cedar tree. They also tell unspoken stories of devastating civil war Ginane witnessed with her family and how deep it change and keep changing lives. Through her art, Ginane depicts visually scars of human-conflicts over what is obviously nothing and how history repeats itself because we, humans, repeat the same mistakes over and over again… It is not only about Beirut but any part of the world torn by wars.

 

 

 

 

At the end, and before fatayer and coffee, Alice, Ginane and I couldn’t resist but playing with war toys! Perhaps we are the happy about post-war people!

 

On the same day… I went to see Ginane’s twelve-part steel architectural installation “Burj Al Mur” at Ayyam Gallery (Beirut)  takes as its focal point the iconic Burj El Murr, a concrete tower in downtown Beirut designed to be a state of the art trade centre, whose fate was to be a stronghold for sniper and militiamen during the civil wars… Told you I couldn’t miss a show by Ginane even if I miss the opening! Click play on video to look at this masterpiece and footages of opening night last April.

About Ginane Makki Bacho

 

Born in Beirut, Lebanon Resided in the United States from 1984 through 2000. Holds Master’s of Fine Arts in Printmaking and Painting from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York 1984-1987, Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from Lebanese American University, Beirut, 1980-1982. She was awarded Second Prize, Harriri Organization Alumni Exhibition, Beirut, 2002. Third Prize, Lebanese Independence Day Poster Competition, Beirut in 2001. First Prize in Gravure, 5eme Salon a l’Acedemie des Beaux Arts, Chaville, France in 1983 and much more.

For more information: http://www.ginane.com