Syria artist Waseem Al Marzouki graduated from Damascus University, Faculty of Fine Arts in 2007 with a BA in fine art. In 2012, he studied cinematography at the Global Cinematography Institute in Hollywood, California.

Al Marzouki has exhibited solo exhibitions in Los Angeles, London, Dubai, Doha, Paris and Damascus. He has also participated in group exhibitions in Switzerland, Berlin, Paris, London, Italy, Los Angeles, New York, Stockholm, Athena, Istanbul, Dubai, Syria and Qatar.

Marzouki has worked extensively with film and has held screenings of his work at various galleries and film festivals including Doha Tribeca Film Festival, 2011. Venice Biennale, 2017. Saatchi gallery, 2016. Qatar museum, 2015. Tehran Film & TV Festival 2009, and Damascus the capital of culture 2008.

He currently lives and works in Los Angeles, California.

“Art, politics and military images collide in my work as I’m trying to explore the power systems that play in the war. My paintings are grounded in images of tanks and soldiers, both common sights in Syria as a proxy war represented by different forces fight for control of the land and its resources. I normally start with a central image, then layer symbols and writing in various languages over that image. The convergence of these symbols — some of which come from Shi’a, Sunni, Christian or Jewish culture — reflects the cultural diversity of the region and the many voices present in the war.

For me now, these paintings are a road map for understanding the chain of events in my country. When I see these paintings after 10 years, if I’m still alive, I hope to understand what was happening there, and remember everything that has occurred, without forgetting details. In the same way you may find writing carved in a tree by you and your loved one from another time – this is the same.”