Syrian artist goes viral with Klimt’s 'The Kiss'

TAP77 Tammam Azzam “Freedom Graffiti” 150×150 Archival Print 2012 Edition of 5

A new photographic work created by Ayyam Gallery artist Tammam Azzam has captured the imaginations of the world, going viral and being shared across social media as a symbol of the power of love and human spirit in times of war.

Tammam Azzam has superimposed Gustav Klimt’s iconic work, The Kiss (1907 – 1908), over the walls of a war-torn building in his native country in a powerful juxtaposition of beauty and devastation. The image has been ‘liked’ by over 20,000 people and shared 14,000 times in only 5 hours.

The new work follows on from Azzam’s recent series Syrian Museum, which was exhibited at Ayyam Gallery Al Quoz, Dubai, 2 months ago, Dec 2012. Azzam merges instantly recognisable masterpieces into images from Syria’s war zones, working in various digital mediums to address the ongoing political and social upheaval in Syria, and the cycles of violence and destruction tearing his country apart.

Born in Damascus in 1980, Tammam Azzam lives and works in Dubai. Selected solo and group exhibitions include Ayyam Gallery Al Quoz, Dubai (2012, 2009); Ayyam Gallery DIFC, Dubai (2011); Ayyam Gallery Beirut (2010); Ayyam Gallery Damascus (2010).

For more information on Tammam Azzam, please visit: www.ayyamgallery.com

Syrian artist Khaled Dawwa to join families of Syria’s Disappeared to destroy artwork in “performance protest” outside UN headquarters

Syrian artist Khaled Dawwa joins families of Syria’s Disappeared to destroy his artwork in a “performance protest” outside UN headquarters.

After Impressionism: Inventing Modern Art

After Impressionism: Inventing Modern Art opens at the National Gallery this week featuring 97 works – 32% of which are from private collections so are rarely seen, this and the fact that the exhibition features some of the most important works of art created between 1886 and around 1914 make this a must-see exhibition.