Besher Koushaji Syrian , b. 1984

  • biography
    Besher Koushaji is a Syrian contemporary artist whose work delves into themes of memory, nostalgia, and the longing for a...
    Besher Koushaji is a Syrian contemporary artist whose work delves into themes of memory, nostalgia, and the longing for a lost home. His paintings predominantly feature portraits of women engaged in everyday moments, yet these scenes are fragmented by intersecting lines and sections, creating a sense of distortion.
     
    The women in his portraits symbolize loved ones from Syria, while the geometric divisions incorporate architectural elements from his homeland. By altering the original figures, Koushaji reflects on cherished memories, exploring the delicate balance between remembrance and transformation. His work captures nostalgia through a deeply expressive and sensitive approach.
     
    Koushaji’s background in graphic design is evident in his compositions, alongside cultural influences such as classical Arabic calligraphy and arabesque patterns, which seamlessly blend into his contemporary artistic style.
     
    He holds an M.A. in Fine Arts and Visual Communication from Damascus University and is currently pursuing a second master’s degree in Cubism at the same institution. His work has been featured in international art fairs, including the Beirut Art Fair (2021), Intersect 21 Art Fair in Chicago (2021), Intersect Aspen (2020), and the Egypt International Art Fair (2020).
     

    Notable solo and group exhibitions include Painting the Figure at Rosenfeld Gallery, London (2021); Shenzhen Biennial, China (2021); Scene at Wadi Finan Art Gallery, Amman (2019); Art on 56th Gallery, Beirut (2019); and Kalemat Sanat Gallery, Istanbul (2018).

     

     

  • Works
  • Exhibitions
  • Press

  • CV

    EDUCATION

    Bachelor’s Degree in Printmaking | University Faculty of Fine Arts, Damascus, Syria

     

    SOLO EXHIBITIONS

    2025

    Moments of Hope | Firetti Contemporary, Dubai, UAE

    2023
    Contemplate 2 | Etihad Modern Art Gallery, Abu Dhabi, UAE

    2022
    Contemplate | Wadi Finan Art Gallery, Amman, Jordan

    2019
    Scene | Wadi Finan Art Gallery, Amman, Jordan
    Scene | Art on 56th Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon

    2018
    Solo Exhibition | Kalemat Sanat Galerisi, Istanbul, Turkey

    2017
    Reflections | Fann A Porter, Dubai, UAE
    Reflections | The Workshop, Dubai, UAE

    2016
    Reflections | Wadi Finan Art Gallery, Amman, Jordan

    2015
    Réflexions | La Brasserie Le Pois Penché, Montreal, Canada
    Réflexions | Chez Swann, Montreal, Canada

    2014
    Home Memories 2 | Dama Art, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

    2013
    Home Memories | Wadi Finan Art Gallery, Amman, Jordan

    GROUP EXHIBITIONS

    2024
    The Power of Synergy | Atelier 14, Al Khayat Avenue, Dubai, UAE

    2023
    Narratives Vol. 3 | Etihad Modern Art Gallery, Abu Dhabi, UAE

    2022
    Dream on Dreamer | Riana Raouna Gallery, Limassol, Cyprus
    Narratives Vol. 2 | Etihad Modern Art Gallery, Abu Dhabi, UAE
    Under the Same Sky | Riana Raouna Gallery, Nicosia, Cyprus
    Expo 2020 Dubai – Syria Pavilion Group Exhibition | Wadi Finan Art Gallery, Amman, Jordan

    2021
    Painting the Figure | Rosenfeld Gallery, London, UK
    Group Exhibition | Art on 56th Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon

    2020
    Group Exhibition | Wadi Finan Art Gallery, Amman, Jordan

    2019
    Group Exhibition | Art on 56th Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon
    Group Exhibition | Linkatelier Gallery, Bahrain

    2018
    The Mirrors | The HUB Gallery, Kuwait
    The Exhibition of Arab Contemporary Art | Bağlarbaşı Congress and Culture Center, Istanbul, Turkey
    Contemporain de Carthage | JACC, Tunis, Tunisia

    2017
    Group Exhibition | Kalemat Sanat Galerisi, Istanbul, Turkey
    World Art Dubai | Dubai, UAE

    2015
    Group Exhibition | Hochschule Anhalt, Köthen, Germany
    Group Exhibition | Jan Sanat Galeri, Ankara, Turkey
    Group Exhibition | Marmara Museum, Istanbul, Turkey

    2014
    Group Exhibition | Alrewaq Gallery, Bahrain
    Group Exhibition | Wadi Finan Art Gallery, Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, UAE

     

    ART FAIRS

    2024
    Art Cairo

    2023
    Art Cairo

    2022
    Art Dubai | Wadi Finan Art Gallery
    Art Cairo

    2021
    Menart Fair, Beirut
    Beirut Art Fair

    2020
    Intersect 21 Art Fair, Chicago, USA
    Intersect, Aspen, USA
    Egypt International Art Fair

    2019
    Art Dubai | Wadi Finan Art Gallery
    Beirut Art Fair | Wadi Finan Art Gallery

    2017
    Kalemat Sanat Art Gallery, Istanbul, Turkey

    2016
    Kalemat Sanat Art Gallery, Istanbul, Turkey

    2015
    Art15 London | Wadi Finan Art Gallery
    Beirut Art Fair | Wadi Finan Art Gallery

     

    BIENNIALS

    2022
    Malmo Biennale, Sweden
    Shenzhen Biennale, Shenzhen, China

    2020
    Shenzhen Biennale, Shenzhen, China