Tea Time. Sahar Fakhoury, artist
For the month of June, The Asheville Gallery of Art presents In Light of Everyday, featuring the still life paintings of Sahar Fakhoury. The gallery will host an opening reception on Friday, June 6, from 5–7:30 pm.
Fakhoury, a skilled artist known for her unique approach to still life painting, explores the beauty found in everyday objects. Her journey into this realm began with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, during a time when many people found solace in the simplicity of their surroundings. For Fakhoury, this period of reflection deepened her connection to the ordinary items that many might overlook. “Simple objects can mean a lot to people, bringing back memories, or making a difference in someone’s life,” says the artist.
Crystal and Grapes. Sahar Fakhoury, artist
First, she chooses a single object that creates a challenge for her, such as a unique texture or shape. “The first object determines what would be good to accompany it,” she says. “If I am painting fruits, vegetables or flowers, I look for what is available and in season. It takes many attempts to choose the other objects, with different sizes and shapes and, most importantly, different textures.”
She plays with the placement of the objects to create tension, reflection or a narrative. “I illuminate the pieces to have interesting shadows and reflections to make the subject appealing and the story of objects evolve,” she says.
In each painting, she invites viewers to reconsider the significance of the objects around them. “I always admired the traditional still life paintings with dark backgrounds and very dramatic light,” she says. “But one of my goals for my recent still life artwork is to tell the story of today, realistically, in a contemporary outcome, and still achieve the dramatic mood.”
Asheville Gallery of Art is located at 82 Patton Avenue in Asheville, across from Pritchard Park. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. To learn more, call 828.251.5796, visit AshevilleGallery-of-Art.com or follow the gallery’s Facebook page.
