Abed Al Kadiri

Artist Biography

Born in Beirut, multidisciplinary Artist, Publisher, and Curator Abed Al Kadiri double majored in Arabic Literature and Fine Arts. His work focuses on the notion of translating violence, investigating repressed personal and collective traumatic experiences, while emphasizing the destruction of cultural heritage, migration, and belonging.

Al Kadiri’s most recent solo exhibitions include: Danse Macabre: From Urban Perils to Raving Revelry, an ambassador project by BeMA, in collaboration with Mina Image Center, Galerie Tanit and Frequent Defect, Beirut, Lebanon (2024); Under the Sewing Machine, Galerie Tanit, Munich, Germany (2023); October 17, 2019. Diaries of the Lebanese Revolution, Cromwell Place, London, UK (2021); Today, I Would Like to be a Tree, Galerie Tanit, Beirut (2020).

Al Kadiri has also participated in several group exhibitions regionally and internationally. His work can be found in private and public collections such as The British Museum (London), Institut du Monde Arabe (Paris), The World Bank (Washington), Arab Fund (Kuwait). In 2017 he was awarded the Sursock Museum’s Jury Award at the 32nd Salon d’Automne. Apart from his artistic practice, he worked as an art critic before becoming the Director of Contemporary Art Platform (CAP) Kuwait from 2012-2015.

In 2017, he cofounded Dongola Limited Editions, a leading publishing house that position artist’s books as an artistic contemporary practice from the Arab world.

Al Kadiri lives between Paris and Beirut.

Abed Al Kadiri is represented by Galerie Tanit Beirut. 

Exhibitions
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Close Your Eyes So You Can See Me
Abed Al Kadiri

From November 6, 2025 to December 11, 2025

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ART PARIS 2025

From April 03, 2025 to April 06, 2025

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Bittersweet Symphony
Collective Exhibition

From January 15, 2025 to February 20, 2025

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INTANGIBLE
Collective Exhibition

From November 25, 2024 to January 4, 2025

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What Are You Looking At?
Collective Exhibition

From January 18,2024 to February 29, 2024

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Under the Sewing Machine
Abed Al Kadiri

From May 17, 2023 to June 30, 2023

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MENART 2023

From February 3, 2023 to February 5, 2023

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15 Years, Crossed Perspectives
Collective Exhibition

From November 4, 2022 to January 7, 2023

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I Am One Acquainted With The Night
Collective Exhibition

From June 5, 2021 to September 25, 2021

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Remains of the Last Red Rose
Abed Al Kadiri

From July 27, 2020 to September 25, 2020

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Towards the Sublime
Collective Exhibition

From June 25, 2019 to August 9, 2019

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… كان يا مكان
Collective Exhibition

From February 16, 2022 to April 16, 2022

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Today, I Would Like to be a Tree
Abed Al Kadiri

From August 4, 2020 to September 25, 2020

Selected Works
October 17, 2019, Diaries of the Lebanese Revolution

The series is named after the day that the protests in Lebanon began: October 17, 2019. That night, Al Kadiri witnessed the streets on fire—filled with his angry compatriots—while on the way to Beirut airport.

Nyctophilia

Painted between 2018 and 2019, the works in Nyctophilia are neither a literal reaction to the prevailing gloom, nor some flourish of autobiographical introspection. Rather, they summon us to confront, consider and reflect.

October 17, 2019, Diaries of the Lebanese Revolution
Abed Al Kadiri
October 25, 2019
Chinese Ink on Chinese Rice Paper
2019
175 cm x 95 cm

Sold
Abed Al Kadiri
October 26, 2019
Chinese Ink on Chinese Rice Paper
2019
180 cm x 95 cm

The series is named after the day that the protests in Lebanon began: October 17, 2019. That night, Al Kadiri witnessed the streets on fire—filled with his angry compatriots—while on the way to Beirut airport.

Nyctophilia
Abed Al Kadiri
Scene Number 11
Oil and Charcoal on Canvas
2019
180 cm x 200 cm

Abed Al Kadiri
Scene Number 12
Oil and Charcoal on Canvas
2019
150 cm x 200 cm

Painted between 2018 and 2019, the works in Nyctophilia are neither a literal reaction to the prevailing gloom, nor some flourish of autobiographical introspection. Rather, they summon us to confront, consider and reflect.

Abed Al Kadiri News
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عبد القادري: لغة بصرية وإدراك رؤيوي في معرضه الجديد
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Cities Under Quarantine – The Mailbox Project by Abed Al Kadiri
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"The third edition of Cities Under Quarantine – The Mailbox Project by Abed Al Kadiri opens at SAMoCA from August 28 to September 28, 2025. Curated by multidisciplinary artist Abed Al Kadiri, the exhibition brings together 50 hand-stitched artists’ books created by 50 Arab artists from across the globe. Initiated by Dongola Publishing House during the […]"
"Abed Al Kadiri’s 26th of February 2015  is part of the collective show   Becoming Icon   The exhibition is on view at at the Sursock Museum from July 17, 2025 until June 20, 2027.  "
Abed Al Kadiri “Becoming Icon”
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Abed Al Kadiri at Katara Art Center
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"Katara Art Center is honored to present Lebanese artist Abed Al Kadiri and his impactful charitable project, *”Today, I Would Like to Be a Tree.”* This initiative is a powerful artistic and humanitarian reaction to the ongoing conflict and severe attacks on Lebanon and its people since September 2024. Over eight days, Al Kadiri will […]"
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زرد والقادري: استلهام الماضي استجابة لحنينية مفقودة
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