“Throughout history and to our present day, women's pain, particularly entwined with childbirth and the enigma of other physical illnesses, often languished in obscurity. An insufficient comprehension of their suffering left the realm of pain management shrouded in neglect, a silent plea echoing through the ages.

Echoing women’s struggles and resilience, Galerie Janine Rubeiz invites you to the opening of “Sagas of Painful Bodies”, the first solo exhibition by Manar Ali Hassan, on Thursday May 2nd, 2024, from 5pm to 8pm, in the presence of the artist.

“Sagas of Painful Bodies” is a narrative-based exhibition that invites the exploration of the intimate, personal, and social aspects of being a woman living with a painful body. It centers on the experiences of seven Lebanese women, including the artist herself, all coping with the chronic condition of Fibromyalgia. In this project, Manar Ali Hassan uses art to delve into the narratives of chronic illness and physical gestures, revealing the disrupted experiences, meanings, and implications.

Through a painterly form, the artist also addresses broader existential questions, forging poetic connections between identity, personal encounters, and societal stigmas. The artist, inspired by her partners in pain, aims to fully embrace and interpret their stories, both spoken and unspoken, translating them into impactful artistic creations. These creations serve as a tribute to the resilience and strength of individuals living with chronic pain, a testament to their unwavering spirit amidst life's challenges.”

About the artist

Manar Ali Hassan is an emerging multidisciplinary artist and curator, born in Beirut in 1980. She holds a master’s degree in Visual Art from the Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts (ALBA), which she earned in 2019. Manar Ali Hassan’s artistic journey has been marked by a relentless pursuit of self-expression, and a profound curiosity about the human experience. Her thought-provoking work often explores the realms of identity, culture, and society, challenging viewers to reflect on their own perspectives and emotions, while conveying intricate narratives and addressing profound themes.

Manar Ali Hassan has curated a number of exhibitions in Beirut, including “Encounters 2023” with Galerie Janine Rubeiz, which was also showcased at Beiteddine Art Festival, “The Human Condition” at Rebirth Beirut (2023), “Transmutations” also at Rebirth Beirut (2022), and “Parallel Realms” at Zico House (2022).

Since 2019, her artworks have been exhibited in several art spaces in Lebanon, such as ArtLab, Arneli Art Gallery, Galerie Tanit, and Galerie Janine Rubeiz. She has also taken part in shows abroad, notably in Jordan, Japan, Italy, and Spain.

“Sagas of Painful Bodies” is the artist’s first solo show, on view at Galerie Janine Rubeiz from the 2nd until the 31st of May 2024.