Damascus, June. 8 (SANA) Born in 1951 near Aleppo, Syrian painter and art critic Abdul Qader Al Khalil moved to Spain in 1970, where he studied administration, fine arts and art criticism, beginning a long career that would later span exhibitions across Europe and beyond.
Over the decades, Al Khalil developed a body of work that connected artistic production with cultural criticism, participating in exhibitions in major cultural centers and events linked to institutions such as the Louvre in Paris.
His practice expanded across countries including Spain, France, Italy, Belgium, Sweden, Mexico, Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates.
In 2011, he returned to Aleppo carrying more than 550 of his own artworks, alongside pieces he had collected from other artists, with plans to establish a public museum and cultural center dedicated to Syrian and international art. However, those plans were disrupted after the escalation of the deposed regime attcks against the Syrian’s revolution, which led to the destruction of his home, studio and much of his collection, forcing him to leave Syria again in 2014.
Despite these losses, Al Khalil continued his work in Spain, shifting toward more introspective themes. His recent work explores displacement, memory, freedom and hope, reflecting what he describes as a move away from visual representation toward emotional expression.
“I don’t paint what I see; I paint what I feel,” he said, describing his artistic philosophy and the evolution of his style following his experiences of loss and exile.
Beyond painting, Al Khalil is also known for his work in art criticism, having written thousands of articles on visual arts. He is currently working on a book documenting the experiences of around 500 Syrian artists, and has contributed to literary translation between Arabic and Spanish.
Across his career, he has held more than 140 solo and group exhibitions, and his works have been displayed in major cities including Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Paris, Rome, London and Brussels, with several pieces acquired by international collections.
Al Khalil says art remains a vital record of human experience and a bridge between memory and the future. He has expressed hope of rebuilding his studio and contributing to the establishment of art museums across Syria to preserve cultural heritage for future generations.
R.H/R.K
