Here And Everywhere, Raya Matta

Vernissage: 25/09/2024 at 6:00 PM
Exhibition Dates: 26/09/2024 from 1:00 PM to 28/09/2024 at 7:00 PM

Raya Matta, born in Paris in 1980 and raised in Athens with strong ties to Beirut, is an artist deeply shaped by her personal journey.

Her work centers on exploring the concept of belonging.

Drawing was a significant part of her life from a young age, and she developed her skills through various art contests. In 1998, Raya moved to Beirut and studied architecture at the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts (ALBA), enhancing her understanding of structure and balance in her art.

After years in architecture, she fully committed to painting in 2009, choosing acrylics due to an intolerance to turpentine.

From 2009 to 2015, her work was exhibited in her studio and gallery, “the artspot,” in Tabaris, then in larger premises on Dfouni Street until 2020.

Her frequent travels between Athens and Beirut greatly influenced her art, helping her reconcile with her Levantine identity while exploring cultural and universal themes.

Her style is marked by pure colors and off-centered compositions, reflecting her architectural background. She draws inspiration from the bold colors and contrasts of pop art artists like David Hockney, and she admires the works of young deconstructionists like Kat Kristof, the collage-like paintings of Isabelle de Kleine, and the simple yet striking creations of Spanish artist Elena Gual. As seen in Oumaya Soubra’s work, emptiness is not a lack of inspiration but a subject of aesthetic and philosophical inquiry.