Visit any city in Lebanon and it's highly likely that you’ll come across one of Alfred Basbous’ magnificent sculptures. The late Lebanese artist is widely regarded as a vanguard of modernism in the Middle East and his abstract works are a great source of pride for the region. Now, as a considerable new survey of his work goes on display at Sophia Contemporary Gallery in London, visitors are able to witness his trailblazing output in an entirely new light.
Featuring 20 sculptures and ten drawings executed between 1970 and 2000, the show offers a rare window into Basbous’ world, highlighting his unique command of line and form, and enduring affinity for the female body. ‘His works oscillated between figuration and abstraction, but we selected pieces that are abstract to show the development of sculpture in Lebanon through the career of Basbous,’ says Vassili Tsarenkov, co-founder and director of the space.
'Desire', by Alfred Basbous, 1987.
Basbous famously strived to ‘work with the material and not push against it’, and the sublime, seemingly effortless expressions on display – fluidly carved from marble, bronze and testa (a local Lebanese stone) – articulate this pursuit with aplomb. ‘Every piece, regardless of shape, size or medium are connected in one universe with profound harmony,’ notes Alfred’s son Fadi Basbous, who co-curated the exhibition and directs his father’s estate. On closer inspection, the assorted works certainly do possess a collective synergy – from the pneumatic marble Woman Nude (2001) to the sleek bronze Accolade (1993).
Basbous drew from a diverse bank of influences throughout his career. The sculptural echoes of Constantin Brâncuși, Henry Moore and Jean Arp – three artists whom he greatly admired – are clear to see. Yet there are also subtle nuances at play. ‘He also merged antique Phoenician culture, Lebanese folk arts and Christian Maronite iconography,’ notes Tsarenkov. ‘And in turn, he created an idiosyncratic language of his very own.’
Left, Phoenician Head, 2003. Right, Accolade, 1993
Left, Seated Woman, 1997. Right, Profile, 2004
Femme Alongee, 1985
Syrene Maquette, 1980–85
Information
'Alfred Basbous: Modernist Pioneer – Selected Works' is on view until 28 April. For more information, visit the Sophia Contemporary Gallery website
Address
Sophia Contemporary Gallery
11 Grosvenor Street
London W1K 4QB
-
Three new coffee makers for a contemporary brew, from a casual cup to a full-on branded espressoThree new coffee makers, from AeroPress, Jura and Porsche x La Marzocco, range from the defiantly manual to the bells and whistles of a traditional countertop espresso machine
-
Don't miss Luxembourg's retro-futuristic lab pavilion in VeniceAs the Venice Biennale enters its last few weeks, catch 'A Comparative Dialogue Act' at the Luxembourg Pavilion
-
A Berlin park atop an office building offers a new model of urban landscapingA Berlin park and office space by Grüntuch Ernst Architeken offer a symbiotic relationship between urban design and green living materials
-
Frieze Sculpture takes over Regent’s ParkTwenty-two international artists turn the English gardens into a dream-like landscape and remind us of our inextricable connection to the natural world
-
Harlem-born artist Tschabalala Self’s colourful ode to the landscape of her childhoodTschabalala Self’s new show at Finland's Espoo Museum of Modern Art evokes memories of her upbringing, in vibrant multi-dimensional vignettes
-
Wanås Konst sculpture park merges art and nature in SwedenWanås Konst’s latest exhibition, 'The Ocean in the Forest', unites land and sea with watery-inspired art in the park’s woodland setting
-
Pino Pascali’s brief and brilliant life celebrated at Fondazione PradaMilan’s Fondazione Prada honours Italian artist Pino Pascali, dedicating four of its expansive main show spaces to an exhibition of his work
-
John Cage’s ‘now moments’ inspire Lismore Castle Arts’ group showLismore Castle Arts’ ‘Each now, is the time, the space’ takes its title from John Cage, and sees four artists embrace the moment through sculpture and found objects
-
Gerhard Richter unveils new sculpture at Serpentine SouthGerhard Richter revisits themes of pattern and repetition in ‘Strip-Tower’ at London’s Serpentine South
-
Peter Blake’s sculptures spark joy at Waddington Custot in London‘Peter Blake: Sculpture and Other Matters’, at London's Waddington Custot, spans six decades of the artist's career
-
Oozing, squidgy, erupting forms come alive at Hayward Gallery‘When Forms Come Alive: Sixty Years of Restless Sculpture’ at Hayward Gallery, London, is a group show full of twists and turns
