MARWA EL RIFAI                                
Marwa El Rifai (b. Beirut) is an artist and graphic designer. Her work explores themes of humanity, spirituality, and nature. To her creating the work itself is a process of cleansing and rebirth, it is a form of purification of the soul, gradually coming to life in its own terms. Pondering between seeing and being, the visible and the invisible, she works at having a spiritual experience, her work allows her to be a vessel for creation.

Through creating she finds herself constantly questioning the fleeting existence, the sensible and the fragile. Her artistic practice encompasses different mediums like charcoal, ink, acrylic, sound, metal, wood and publication in which is then translated into painting, drawing, language, poetry and installation. At essence her work is a connection with the divine. With every work she finds herself getting closer to the “truth”. Interconnecting people and places within the context of time and space.

Her work is a rain shower in which she sees the world around and within her- one that she constantly questions and longs more space of. It is a confirmation of our fleeting existence- thus water, trees, nature, landscape. Lastly, it is an open invitation, a journey, a walk to see life with multiple perspectives and is a commentary of the present absence, and the past present - all meeting and swimming simultaneously.

Education
2024, Lebanese American University, Painting Techniques
2019, Lebanese American University, Bachelor Graphic Design
2017, Parsons School of Design, NY, Product Design Summer

Languages
Arabic, English, Intermediate German

Solo Exhibitions
2024, Speaking To The Light, As If I Can, Berlin Art Institute
2022, Dazwischen (In Between) Kunsthalle Berlin, Berlin
2021, Time is Passing, Marwa El Rifai Studio, Beirut

Group Exhibitions
2023, Encounters, Galerie Janine Rubeiz, Beirut
2023, Encounters 2023, Beiteddine Art Festival, Chouf Mount Lebanon

Nomination
2024, Saradar Foundation art Residency

Publications:

2023, Letters I Said To The Winds When I Couldn’t
2022, Time is Passing (On A Train to See A Fig Tree)
2020, Experimental Ways of Seeing
2019, The Way I Sea (A Companion To Sea’s Way)


Residencies
2024, Berlin Art Institute, Art Residency, Berlin, Germany
2021, KHBstudios Berlin, Art Residency, Berlin, Germany

Experience
2024, Tour Guide, Saloua Raouda Choucair Exhibition
2022,  Art Dubai Volunteer, Art Dubai, UAE
2019, Waraq org, Silkscreen Workshop, Hicham Abozid
2019, Karaky Printing Press, Beirut, Printing Press Intern
2018, Embroidery Workshop, Salim Azzam, Beirut
2018, Peter Sanders Photography Workshop, Beirut
2018, Salim Azzam Studio, Graphic Design Intern
2018, Al Madina Theater Main street, Beirut, Visual identity event for Masrah Al Madina
2017, American Institute of Graphic Arts, Design Conference, Paula Scher & Unit editions
2017, Nayef Francis Design Studio(Charles El Helou, Beirut), Product Design Intern

Awards & Certificate
2018, Winner of ArabPack/ LibanPack structural packaging, Issued by LibanPack
2015, Participation in LAU Model Arab League Conference program in partnership with the Hariri Foundation for Sustainable Human Development
2014, Winner of BAU National Commission for Science&Research, issued by BAU N.C.

Press
 ICI Beyrouth https://icibeyrouth.com/culture/231173
Annahar https://tinyurl.com/3dp2nfje
AlArab https://tinyurl.com/4fhu758f      
       
   
CV  upon request
                             
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