:: Ghassan Mahfouz ::

In Lebaa, a village in South Lebanon, a love story between a young couple was born. The love blossomed over time and the two married in 1974. The couple were my parents Elias and Rosette; my sisters Roula and Rita, and my brother Ghazy and I were the fruit of this marriage.

I was born in Lebaa in 1977 and have many beautiful memories of that special town; they are images from long ago, but have left impressions and feelings that will remain engraved in my heart.
I can remember how much my brothers and sisters and I would play in the vicinity of our home and how much I was influenced by the nature and soil of the place.

I also remember my school days, especially the painting courses that I would wait for, once a week, as well as the good grades that I would usually receive.
I recall how I used to play with my cousins and sometimes break the branches of trees, and how my grandfather used to punish us. God rest his beloved soul!
I remember the stories that my grandmothers used to tell me.

I remember the train that Dad gave me as present and how happy I was when it began to twist around me.
The toys are gone but not their beautiful memory; childhood has passed, but the child remains;  we have left the village but the nostalgia has not departed.

In 1985, we were forced to leave our village because of the war. They managed to take me from my town but they couldn't take the memories from my mind.

Beirut, the City. 1986
I didn’t continue living my childhood in Beirut; I left behind the world of children to become a young man. I turned to my pen and paintbrush at the age of nine. Toys, at that time, didn’t mean so much to me; I grew up at an early age and my dreams started to grow with me. Painting was more than a friend; it was my refuge in a time of war. My love for this talent was steadily growing and I was in a race with my ambition. To satisfy it, I had to leave my childhood life behind and focus on my goals, which were pushing me forward.

In my spare time, I used to paint and create until the day the war broke out, with its cruelty and ugliness. In 1990, my family and I left for the village of Roum, in the district of Jezzine, where we felt the impact of the war. I lived there and painted scenes of war scenes drawn from my imagination and from the news that would circulate by word of mouth. I realized then that the word “artist,” which many people had used to call me since my early years, would become a reality.
Afterward I returned to the ruined capital of Beirut and to our home, which had been destroyed. But my father set about restoring what the war had damaged.

In 1991, it was time to go back to my village, Lebaa. I returned at the age of 14 and couldn’t count how many times I had dreamed of this homecoming. The dream became a reality but I returned to find my own town destroyed, shattered, defeated, while I had always wanted it to be strong, joyful, and beautiful.

I realized more than ever the ugliness of war and became more determined to sow the beauty and the creativity that might help erase the scenes of destruction.

The large number of exhibitions I’ve taken part in, along with media appearances and numerous other artistic activities, have helped me become totally affiliated with the world of art. As a result, I decided to hone my skills by entering the Academy of Michaelangelo, receiving a diploma in Plastic Art (in 2000). Afterward, I continued to gain knowledge in specialized studies in art and I have treated various themes in my works as well.

One who is born in Lebanon, this ancient land, must certainly be impressed by its captivating scenery, and this impact must certainly be reflected in his notions and aspirations. The country’s pluralism enriches a person’s soul and widens his horizons, giving rise to a sophisticated people and producing a country that is a pioneer in intellectual and creative fields as well as in various domains.
One who paints Lebanon must pray from his depths and seek perfection and idealism in his life. He must take this arduous road and understand that God has created man on His image, in His likeness.
By pursuing the path of perfection we must learn patriotism and appreciate this value, while remembering the saying of Gibran Khalil Gibran:
"If Lebanon were not my country, I would have chosen Lebanon to be my country".

We must exhibit a lofty respect for this Lebanon, which has given birth to intellects, creative achievements, and a love of country. We should moreover fight for art and culture in order to see it return to a strong Lebanon.

I have loved Lebanon, the land and its people; I have loved this embrace between the female Beirut, a daughter of glory and the pearl of East, and Lebanon’s mighty men, those high mountains all around, the sea of hope and the bright future shining ahead, and her sisters Byblos, Tripoli, Sidon and Tyre alongside.

I have drawn you, Lebanon, mountain and sea; I have drawn your ancient houses and archeological sites, and my paintbrush will remain loyal since I will keep painting you as long as I breathe. You will always be that shore where my artistic ship anchors and I will make every effort to be one of your lit candles, chasing away the darkness that seeks to drown you.

 

 

:: C.V. ::

Ghassan Mahfouz , born in Lebaa – Jezzine in 1977

- Hold a diploma in painting from the Academy of Michael Angelo
- Held several exhibitions in Lebanon and abroad
- Obtained numerous certificates, awards and prizes
- Participated in many artistic activities and symposiums from 1993 till present
- Painted the Holy Trinity icon of 36 square meters
- Accomplished many huge artistic frescos of 125 square meters
- Realized several artistic studios for television stations
- Issued a number of artistic calendars including "Our beautiful villages" & "Our precious South" which had a tremendous positive resonance in showing the beautiful Lebanese sites
- Taught painting courses for young beginner artists
- His paintings are widespread in various countries mainly in the United States of America, France and Canada
- Participated in the exhibition entitled Return of the Spirit held in Canada
- Held a private exhibition at the St. Laurent Museum located in Montreal, Canada
- Held a private exhibition at the Royal Center for the Greek Catholics in Canada
- The first plastic artist in the world who exhibits his works in the headquarter of the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) located in the downtown of Montreal
- Distinguished for painting ancient potteries which he sought to transfer in a modern way by connecting the past with the present and relating the soil with Men; becoming therefore  specialized in this field
-  Distinguished since his early years for painting portraits; he painted many presidents, celebrities and religious men. His interest in ecclesiastical paintings drove him to paint numerous paintings for churches, monasteries and many others. His last work was the frescos of Saint Takla church located in Sad El Bouchrieh, Lebanon & which captured the admiration of the church for what it contains as innovative paintings symbolizing a great liturgical reality.