Damascus, May 18 (SANA) Syrian visual artist, photographer and lyricist George Ashi was honored Sunday at a cultural event in Damascus recognizing his decades-long contribution to Syria’s artistic and cultural scene.
The event, organized by the Peace Candles Association at the Arab Cultural Center in Abu Rummaneh, brought together artists, cultural figures and visitors for an evening celebrating Ashi’s role in shaping Syria’s visual arts movement through painting, photography and songwriting.
The ceremony included an exhibition featuring works by artists from different generations and artistic schools, with displays ranging from oil and acrylic paintings to sculptures, reflecting the diversity and evolving nature of Syrian contemporary art.
Speaking to SANA, Ashi said the recognition carried particular significance because it came from fellow artists and members of the cultural community.
“This honor is not only for me, but for Syrian visual art as a whole,” he said. “Its value comes from the people behind it, artists who believe in sincere artistic experience and respect creativity.”
Ashi encouraged younger artists to remain committed to continuous learning and artistic experimentation, stressing the importance of perseverance and openness to different creative experiences.
Mohammad Sobhi al-Sayyed Yahya, head of the Syrian Artists Union, described the event as recognition of an artist whose work contributed over decades to enriching Syria’s visual arts and cultural life.
Manuela al-Hakim, head of the Peace Candles Association, said Ashi was selected because of the lasting influence of his artistic career on Syria’s cultural memory.
She added that honoring living artists helps preserve and celebrate an essential part of Syria’s cultural identity.
Lina Rizk, a member of the association’s board, said the event aimed to create dialogue between established and emerging artists while encouraging younger generations to benefit from the experiences of veteran figures in the Syrian art scene.
Several attendees described the exhibition as rich in artistic diversity and praised the opportunity to view works representing multiple artistic styles and approaches in a single space.
George Ashi is regarded as one of the Syrian artists who successfully combined visual art, photography and songwriting throughout his career. He participated in exhibitions inside and outside Syria and received numerous artistic honors and certificates of recognition, establishing himself as one of the notable names in Syrian and Arab cultural life.
R.A/ABD
