Syria has a rich and diverse contemporary visual arts scene that evolved over the years.
From traditional forms to cutting-edge modern expressions, Syrian artists pushed boundaries and explored new artistic lands.In recent years, the Syrian art scene gained international recognition for its innovative works that address complex social, political, and cultural issues. Moreover, there are two significant things to note: the first is that these art forms do not originate from previous art; and the second is that they have innate characteristics that continue to come through in subsequent art practices, both the local and the incoming.
Perhaps the best way to begin talking about this wide knowledge is to go further, to this time of the 17th century, a time that saw the revival of the Arabic language.Translation and the accompanying flowering of the arts of Arabic calligraphy, drawing, decoration, and architecture.At this time, they wrote copies of the Holy Qur’an in an amazing naskh script. In addition to the icons that Aleppo artists attempted to paint in those times.Not to mention, Syrian iconography flourished in the middle of this century as well as all other forms of art.
Elsewhere, they found some small mosaics depicting scenes in Mari (Tell Hariri), describing everyday life. They date to the third millennium BC. To produce them, they used various materials such as ivory, lapis lazuli, gold, and colored stones. Then, they assemble the pieces in the form of jewelry boxes or musical instruments. Not only were the people of Mari adept in the arts, but they were also expert architects who had control over aquatic and land transportation routes. The sculptures discovered here pulse with vitality and are especially noticeable in their advanced depiction of faces and hands: Ornina, Ashtart, the goddess of the fountain, an engaged couple, and a shepherd…Together these statues, along with mosaics and wall painting fragments, provide vivid scenes from the life of the city’s inhabitants: evening get-togethers, weddings, worship, rural scenes, and even preparations for war.
One of the earliest kingdoms in Syria. Its remains constitute a hill southwest of Aleppo. The most important art discovery in Ebla is clay tablets because they contain inscriptions in the Eblaite language, which is considered to be one of the earliest known Semitic languages.Most of these tablets contain references to political events, social practices, and religious beliefs in addition to literary compositions.Besides that, music played an important part in the society and musicians were both locals or hired from other cities such as Mari.
An ancient city that's still in present-day Syria, famous for its ruins which reflect a blend of influences from various civilizations, including Greek, Roman, and Persian, therefore giving it a unique artistic style that flourished during the city's heyday. Palmyra's arts encompass a wide range of artistic expressions, including sculpture, relief carvings, and decorative elements in architecture. One of the most iconic forms of art in Palmyra is its funerary sculpture. Not to mention the city's necropolis which is adorned with elaborate tombstones and funerary reliefs depicting scenes from everyday life, religious rituals, and mythological themes. The architecture of Palmyra also showcases the artistic achievements of the city. The monumental structures, such as the Temple of Bel and the Arch of Triumph, feature intricately carved decorations, ornate columns, and intricate friezes that highlight the skill and craftsmanship of Palmyrene artisans.
Calligraphy in Syria has deep roots that date back to the early days of Islam. The city of Damascus, in particular, was and still is a center of calligraphic excellence, especially the Umayyad Mosque which houses stunning examples of calligraphic inscriptions that adorn its walls. Indeed, calligraphy serves as a testament to the enduring beauty of the Arabic language and its expressive potential. But first, let's dig into the Arabic language: Arabic is written and read from right to left. There is no distinction between upper- and lowercase letters, though the shapes of letters usually vary depending on whether they are in an initial, medial, or final position in a word. There are two types of Arabic calligraphy; the first is the Dry method, in which letters are straight with sharp corners. The most famous is the Kufic line. Second: In the Soft method, which has curved letters, and Naskh line is the most famous line in this method. Many Syrian calligraphic works feature verses from the Quran or excerpts from Islamic poetry, infusing the art form with a sacred aura. You can find these inscriptions in mosques, religious manuscripts, architectural elements, and even everyday objects, serving as reminders of faith and sources of inspiration.
Old Damascus is a must-visit if you want to see some great examples of Architecture because it has some of the oldest houses and palaces showing Syrian unique architectural features. Traditional Damascene houses and palaces have extraordinary Characteristics. As a result, when you see a picture of a house or a palace, you can know it's a building in Damascus without knowing what it is! They built the majority of houses with stone, organizing them in a unique layering technique called Al-Ablaq (an architectural technique that alternates between rows of light and dark stone), to create visually striking patterns on the exterior walls.
A great example that exemplifies Damascene architecture, involves Al-Ablaq technique, ornate stone lattice work on its windows, decorated arches, and columns lining the courtyards. The emphasis of the courtyard in Islamic architecture "architecture of the veil", focuses on the inner spaces (courtyards and rooms) which are not visible from the outside, thus giving privacy and providing natural ventilation. Some other examples of Syrian architecture are the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Beit Ghazaleh in Aleppo, Al Nouri in Hama, and many others. The French Mandate significantly influenced the architecture of the region, for instance, they implemented town planning, improved urban amenities, and built roads. In addition to dividing Damascus into Old Damascus, and New Damascus, with a modern European look which includes straight wide roads, open Souks, and European-looking buildings.
The traditional courtyard houses remain the timeless architectural feature of Syrian architecture. Hence modern architects are reimagining these features in contemporary contexts. In other words, new buildings in Syria have the same aspects as old houses but use modern materials and techniques.
Various civilizations influenced this rich and diverse tradition throughout history. So a sculpture reflects the cultural artistic heritage of its region. Although Funerary Sculpture is the most prominent form of sculpture in Syria, there are also religious and mythological themes found in temples, tombs, and public spaces. Another notable aspect of the tradition is the use of different materials in Syrian sculpture, such as stone, bronze, terracotta, and wood, each offering unique possibilities for artistic expression.
One of the defining characteristics of modern arts in Syria is the fusion of traditional techniques with innovative approaches and materials.For instance, artists draw inspiration from their cultural heritage while experimenting with new mediums such as installation art, video art, performance art, and digital art.Contemporary Syrian artists often use their work to address pressing social and political issues, including war, displacement, identity, and human rightsThis socially engaged approach to art has made Syrian artists important voices in the global art scene.Despite the challenges conflict posed in recent years, Syrian artists continue to create powerful and thought-provoking works of art that resonate with audiences around the world.
The Faculty of Fine Arts in Damascus has a rich history that dates back to 1958. They established the Ministry of Culture and National Guidance in the same year, after that, the formation of the Supreme Council for the Safeguarding of Arts, Literature, and Social Sciences was in 1959. This council aimed to develop artistic and literary culture and provide advisory documents to government officials.In 1959, they created the Bureau of Fine and Applied Arts. The Higher Institute for the Fine Arts in Damascus officially opened its doors in 1960.In 1987, they established the Technical Institute for the Applied Arts within the historical citadel in Damascus. Offering two-year courses under the Ministry of Culture's control, the institute excelled in technical instruction, particularly in the sculpture department. Students received training in various techniques such as wood and stonework, bronze casting, and molding.Indeed, besides all that, Syria offers many private institutions teaching all kinds of arts.
