Marwan and the art of exile: ‘his sense of estrangement became a conceptual and a creative force’
Born in Damascus but trained in Cold War Berlin, the painter Marwan Kassab-Bachi brought the perspective of an Arab émigré to post-war Germany’s Neo-Expressionist art scene. An exhibition at Christie’s in London — featuring 160 of the artist’s works — will help bring him long overdue recognition, says Jessica Lack
MARWAN (1934-2016), Ohne Titel (Untitled), 1969 (detail). Oil on canvas. 89 x 130 cm. Image courtesy of Sharjah Art Foundation, Sharjah / Shanavas Jamaluddin. © Estate MARWAN. On view in MARWAN: A Soul in Exile, until 22 August 2025 at Christie’s in London
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