Dr. Sawsan Al-Zoabi: The Architect of Memory and Light
Dr. Sawsan Al-Zoabi (b. 1961) is a preeminent Syrian visual artist and scholar whose work stands as a bridge between the historical grandeur of Damascus and contemporary artistic innovation. Born in Damascus, she graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Damascus University in 1983 (Department of Graphic Design/Advertising) and later earned a PhD in the Philosophy of Art Sciences from the prestigious Stroganov University in Moscow in 1991.
As both an artist and a distinguished academic—having served as the Head of the Visual Communications Department at Damascus University—Al-Zoabi’s practice is rooted in a deep intellectual and emotional connection to her heritage. She is widely celebrated for her evocative depictions of Old Damascus, where she captures the city’s ancient alleys and architectural soul not as static history, but as a living, breathing presence.
Her signature style is characterized by a masterful use of mixed media, acrylics, and collage. Al-Zoabi views the canvas as a space for "spiritual healing," often building her compositions through layers of texture and color that mimic the weathered walls and rich history of the Syrian capital. Her work transitions fluidly between Expressionism and atmospheric Abstraction, prioritizing the "feeling" and "scent" of a place over mere photographic representation.