This exhibition is to celebrate the Artistic Life of Gabriel Dandan. A self taught artist who was exposed to the diversity of many cultures. He spent his childhood in South America followed by his teenage years in Beirut, Lebanon where he obtained a University Business Degree. Due to the unrest in the country he emigrated to the United States where he spent a long period of his adult life.
His sister, Muna Stephen, living in Cyprus still has a lot of his work. She told us his story.
He always loved to paint and as a young man had held exhibitions in Beirut. Then he painted mainly for pleasure as his working life took precedence. However, with his eventual return to the Middle East he once again devoted himself to painting. He visited Cyprus frequently where he has had several exhibitions in Paphos from 2007 – as a solo artist, with the Open Studio and with other artists. These visits are reflected in his work which focuses mostly on Cyprus and he was always gratified by the response.
The diverse cultures he experienced during his travels inspired and enriched his imagination and are reflected in the wide variety of scenes in his interpretive paintings, from streets and markets to the moods of the sea. His paintings exhibit figurative, impressionist and abstract qualities.
Gabriel, started his artistic career working on a variety of surfaces with oils, but changed to acrylics on his return to the Middle East as he always enjoyed a challenge. Later on, in 2010 due to injury he once again changed his medium and started painting with pastel and water and oil pencils and ink which he was able to do sitting down – with magnificent results.
His words, Quote:-
“I find the infinite subtlety of colours fascinating, whether in city markets, during seasonal changes in the countryside, in the moods of the sea or the character of harbours and boats. It is a constant challenge to capture this in my paintings.”
Gabriel’s First exhibition when he rejoined the Art World was held in Paphos. Regrettably Gabriel passed away in 2016 after a long battle with cancer.
Muna Stephen, together with Johanna and Joep, invite you on Friday, 23rd February from 7 to 9 pm for the official opening of the IM Exhibition to witness his last and most impressive work in the J&J Artworks Gallery on the Tala Square.
More info – Call Muna Stephen on 99402326 or the gallery on 99202813
