Haibat Balaa Bawab (b.1952) is a Lebanese artist renowned for her pioneering work in collage art. In
her pieces, namely her oil paintings additionally to her collage work, she intricately weaves narratives of
Beirut and its people, along with the scenic mountains and the country’s diverse beauty. The city where
she was born and raised continues to influence her work. Her observations of quotidian Beirut scenes
inspire her to translate these impressions into a distinctive artistic style.
Balaa’s main medium is an assemblage of fragments from popular sources—magazines, stamps, and
bills. She uses said media to map the cultural fabric of the city. By creating figurative images with
abstract elements, she draws on memories of village life, harvests, and bygone eras. Certain motifs
recur in her work; such as carpets, rugs, and oriental tapestries, evoking a sense of serenity and
nostalgia. Her subjects are a reflection of a range of social strata; from haute bourgeoisies’ opulent
houses to the vibrant floral and polychromatic patterns of peasants, refugees, and beggars. All of this
she achieves by using cut-outs as markers of identity and status.
“My artworks in collage and oil painting vary, encompassing cityscapes, local landscapes, heritage, and
nostalgia—reflections of daily life and topical issues. I’m inspired by my surroundings. Even when I
travel, my work mirrors my environment and mood,” Balaa states. Indeed, Balaa’s urban and natural
environments tend to permeate her artistic processes and manifest through her art.
Haibat Balaa received her BA in Fine Arts in 1975 from the Beirut University College [currently the
Lebanese American University]. She holds 17 years of teaching experience at the Lebanese American
University. She also took up the position of Fine Arts Coordinator at the American University of Science
and Technology (AUST) from 2001 until 2022.
Balaa has exhibited in numerous solo shows in Lebanon, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. The various collective
exhibitions she has participated in include both local and international venues. Locally, these include the
American University of Beirut (AUB), LAU, ALBA, Haigazian, Station Des Arts, and the prestigious
Sursock Museum. Internationally, she has exhibited at Grand Palais de Paris, in addition to shows in
Cairo, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and Kuwait. In 2019, she was invited to participate in the 8th Beijing
Biennale China.
Haibat Balaa Bawab is a member of the Lebanese Association of Painters and Sculptors as well as the
Artists Syndicate. Her artworks have appeared in publications including a monograph dedicated to her,
titled ‘Haibat Balaa Bawab: The Art of Collage’ (published 2012). Furthermore, she has authored two
AUST publications titled ‘Beyond the Medium I’ and ‘Beyond the Medium II’.
Balaa is an award-winning artist. In 1982, she was awarded the first and only prize by the Central Bank
of Lebanon for designing a new Lebanese currency. She also won first prize at the Makhoul exhibitions
of both 1979 and 1980. She continues to inspire artists and art-enthusiasts in her community.
