Artbooth Gallery to host nonagenarian artist Habuba Farah’s works in capital

Artbooth Gallery, Abu Dhabi, has announced Beams of Light, a solo exhibition showcasing the works of esteemed Lebanese-Brazilian artist, Habuba Farah (Apr. 9-May 25).

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The show delves into the artist's exploration of colour, geometry and movement, and traces her artistic evolution for over more than seven decades. Born in 1931 in Getulina, São Paulo, Brazil, to Lebanese immigrant parents, Habuba developed a passion for art quite early. The mix of textures, shapes and colours she encountered in her family shop, was a constant source of inspiration.

"I started drawing before I even learned to read and write," Habuba recalls. "As a child, I created abstract geometric designs spontaneously, without knowing about artistic movements." Initially pursuing a career as a geography teacher, her dedication to art led her to study under prominent artists Samson Flexor and Mário Zanini, in the 1950s. Such formative experiences energised her commitment to abstract art, particularly in her style known as "Lyrical Geometric Abstraction", where she masterfully began blending rhythm and harmony, transforming form and colour, into dynamic expressions of light and space. Lyrical Geometric Abstraction draws a parallel between the artist's visual language and a sonic universe.

The Artbooth exhibition features a curated selection of Habuba's works from the 1970s to the present, encompassing mediums such as oil on canvas, gouache on paper, and intricate pencil drawings. A highlight of the exhibition is her exploration of 'neutral gray' or coloured gray a concept achieved by blending primary colours with their complementary counterparts. The process results in geometric compositions that often resemble beams of light, inviting viewers to experience the subtle interplay of tones and contrasts.