Simone Fattal's major exhibition in Paris

A major exhibition titled Des villes au fond d'un lac is running at the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris from 18 September 2026 to 24 January 2027, showcasing the work of Simone Fattal, a visual artist and publisher known for her diverse and deeply symbolic creations.

Fattal's artistic influences

Fattal’s work draws from ancient epics, Sufi poetry, and the history of the Middle East, reflecting on themes of exile and war. She believes that all life experiences influence her art, and she often incorporates these influences into her visual and literary creations.

Early life and education

Born in Damascus in 1942, Fattal spent part of her childhood in Lebanon. Her early artistic inspiration came from the carpets collected by her father. She later discovered modern art at the World's Fair in Brussels in 1958 and pursued studies in philosophy and archaeology at institutions such as the Sorbonne and the École du Louvre.

Artistic development in Lebanon

Returning to Lebanon in the late 1960s, Fattal began painting on her own, inspired by the landscapes of Mount Sannine and the bay of Beirut. She continued to paint during the Lebanese civil war, using her art as a form of resistance and expression.

Exile and literary work in California

In 1980, Fattal and her partner, the poet Etel Adnan, fled Lebanon and settled in Sausalito, California. There, she founded The Post-Apollo Press in 1982, a publisher of experimental literature that featured works by writers such as Etel Adnan, Marguerite Duras, and Lyn Hejinian.

Shift to sculpture and new influences

After studying at the College of Marin and the San Francisco Art Institute, Fattal turned to sculpture in 1988. She works with clay, embracing its natural properties and the unpredictable results of firing. Her sculptures often depict warriors, mythical figures, and animals, exploring themes of human existence and mythology.

Recent recognition and exhibitions

In 2019, Fattal had her first museum exhibition in the United States at MoMA PS1. She received the Grand Prix d'art de Berlin and the Julio González Prize in 2024, and her sculptures were displayed at the Louvre alongside Oriental Antiquities. Key works include Le Mont Sannine (1979), Dionysos (1999), and Warrior III (2011).