Ammar Al-Beik (Syria)

Using photography as a medium Ammar Al Beik creates highly developed unconventional cinematic imagery. His recent work is overtly political and incorporates video, sculpture, animation and large scale ultra-chrome prints. In sensitively and critically relating the narrative of his subjects the artist holds to his belief that art should not only imitate but capture life.

Born in 1972 in Damascus, Ammar Al Beik lives and works in Dubai. Internationally renowned for his work in film and documentary, he has shown at numerous international festivals including the Sao Paulo International Film Festival; Edinburgh Documentary Film Festival; Berlin International Film Festival; and Locarno International Film Festival.  He is also the recipient of numerous awards including the Jury Prize Winner at the Busan International Short Film Festival, Korea (2012); Golden Award at the Rotterdam 7th Arab Film Festival, Holland (2007); the Golden Award at the Tetouan 13th Film Festival, Morocco (2007); and the Jury Award at the Brisbane International Film Festival, Australia (2002). In 2006 he was the first Syrian filmmaker to receive the award for best documentary at the Venice International Film Festival.  In 2011, he presented The Sun’s Incubator, a work exploring the domestic affects of the Arab Spring, at the 68th Venice International Film Festival. Solo exhibitions include Ayyam Gallery Al Quoz, Dubai (2013); Ayyam Gallery Damascus (2011, 2010, 2008); Ayyam Gallery Beirut (2010). Ammar Al Beik's artworks are in important institutions and private collections such as the Los Angelos County Museum of Art (LACMA).