15 May - 1 June 2024
BE-LONGING II
by Tom Young
Beirut resident artist Tom Young exhibits a series of oil paintings which explore the connections and contrasts of his homeland in the UK and adopted home of Lebanon. He retraces seminal moments of the history of the two countries, as well as his own past, delving into the symbolism and soul of iconic buildings, natural beauty and seminal events in both places.
The exhibition ‘Be-Longing II’ is the second part of an exhibition which took place in Tom Young’s gallery in Beirut in December 2023- a show that deeply resonated with the Lebanese owner of Marie Jose Gallery who brought its continuation forward to her gallery.
Young embraces his own shifting identity between Beirut and London, between ‘East’ and ‘West’. He lived in London for 12 years, and has since lived in Beirut for 15 years. In a time of profound division and misunderstanding in the world, Young’s new collection provokes questions, how can we find a sense of harmony in our differences? How can we hold perceived opposites in balance without losing the precious qualities of either? What gives us our sense of belonging? ‘If we can truly be, then we are not longing for anything, because we are already complete.’
The techniques of painting reflect underlying emotional charges which resonate for Young: thin layers of diluted glazes of oil paint is washed, dripped and splashed to evoke a layered palimpsest of memory; thick visceral layers of oil are sculpted with a palette knife; the carefully painted detail is often wiped and blurred whilst the paint is still wet- erasing evidence, in a sweeping movement. Erasing the paint is both a destructive and creative act; harnessing the surprise of ‘accident’, the artist captures a penultimate moment, just before things dissolve. In Young’s work, the world is both still, and in motion.
Yet the overarching aim of his art is to express a sense of energy and inner light, vitality and beauty in all that surrounds us.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Tom Young paints the changing nature of Lebanon, the country which has been his home since 2009. Influenced by an architectural training, he delves into the Beirut’s memory, fusing historical narratives with emotional responses to the present moment.
He often exhibits his work as site specific installations in previously abandoned or damaged places as a way to breathe new life into them. Such projects include Villa Paradiso (2013-17), The Rose House (2014-15), Al Zaher/Dar Al Aytam (2016-17), Grand Hotel Sofar (2018-19), Rayak Train Factory (2019), Beit Beirut (2022), and the current exhibitions‘Revival’ at Hammam Al Jadeed in Saida (2020-24) and his own gallery collection ‘Be/longing 1’ in Gemmayzeh, Beirut (2023-24).
Young combines a painting practice with film-making, archival research, architectural conservation and art therapy for children. He lectures to students at schools and universities, and has collaborated with children through several orphanage, refugee and cancer treatment institutions in Lebanon.
Young was born in England in 1973. He studied Fine Art at Norwich School of Art, UK BA (Hons) in Architecture at Newcastle University UK and Istanbul Technical University. He has painted and exhibited across Europe, America, Africa and Asia.
Young’s work has been featured on BBC World, Al Jazeera English and Arabic, Reuters International, LBC International, France 24, TRT World, The Times of London, The Independent, Le Monde, and others.
His work is in numerous private collections around the world, including: Philippe Jabr Collection, Beirut / Sursock Palace, Beirut / Former Prime Minister of Lebanon Tammam Salam / NABU Museum Lebanon / Royal Court of Oman collection / Frick family private collection, New York / Mellon Bank, USA / Former Director of Christie’s Old Masters Department, New York / Olympic Committee Media Collection, Madrid / St Paul’s Cathedral Foundation, London.
SELECTED WORKS
Survival, Beirut, 2022, oil on canvas, 140 x 180 cm
A tale of two galleries, 2024, oil on canvas, 140 x 110 cm
Into Light (Gemmayzeh), 2024, oil on canvas, 70 x 55cm
Stockshill Flowers, 2021, oil on canvas, 50 x 40 cm
Dreamlands, 2024, oil on canvas, 100 x 110 cm
Arc Forest, 2023, oil on canvas, 80 x 60 cm
Into Light (Stockshill), 2021, oil on canvas, 65 x 50 cm
Studio Interior, Gemmayzeh, 2024, oil on canvas, 70 x 35cm
Rose (witness), 2024, oil on canvas, 80 x 60 cm
Rose House Garden, 2024, oil on canvas, 50 x 40cm
Mirage City (Beirut), 2022, oil on canvas, 55 x 70 cm
Road to Lamport, 2022, oil on canvas, 50 x 65 cm
Magnolia, 2021, oil on canvas, 50 x 65 cm
Qadisha Dusk, 2023, oil on canvas, 65 x 50 cm
Mountain journey, 2022, oil on canvas, 65 x 50 cm
Flowing East, 2024, oil on canvas, 110 x 140cm
Double Standard, 2024, oil on canvas, 110 x 140 cm
Cathedral (witness), 2024, oil on canvas, 80 x 60 cm
Notting Hill Carnival, 2024, oil on canvas, 140 x 110 cm
Monumental, 2024, oil on canvas, 110 x 140 cm
Mar Mikhael (ascension), 2023, oil on canvas, 145 x 105 cm
Gemmayzeh Festival, 2024, oil on canvas, 140 x 110 cm
Coexistence, 2022, oil on canvas, 65 x 50 cm
Any of the works speak to you?
Contact us for more information about the pieces and the artist