Marie Khouri is a Vancouver-based artist whose recent work is being showcased at the Vancouver Art Gallery in an exhibition called, “I Love.” This exhibit features hand-carved sculptures that pay tribute to the Arabic roots that influences her work. This specific art work of hers is inspired by Henry Moore’s sense-appealing sculptures and Zaha Hadid’s organic style of architecture. The exhibition shows five hand carved sculptures that are surrounded by a curved staircase that surrounds it. There is also an oil painting of a tree that is displayed in front of the hallway at the center of the setting. The hand-carved structures look like an innovative and creative design that is intended for sitting. The intricate details that are visible in these sculptures have a futuristic feel to it. The sculptures that Khouri has created is a time consuming and hands on project that has a clear methodical process behind it.
The process begins when she molds clay and then scales it to later expand it with polystyrene. After this is done, she dedicates time for carving and sanding in a delicate fashion. Her skill has several layers to it especially when considering how she gives the art meaning by making the finished work to spell out “I Love” in an Arabic. Her ability to connect her roots with her art in such a creative way is inspired by her upbringing. She was born in Egypt and raised in Lebanon and immigrated to Europe before finally settling in Canada. The experience of living in different countries and cultures has an influence in her art and that’s what makes it so special! This exhibition is a display of her multi-cultural way of thinking, and it provides a rare experience for curious minds. The exhibition provides people with an opportunity to draw inspiration from a cultured artist like Marie Khouri and her creative skills that will be displayed in the Gallery till March 5th.