Alfred Basbous

B. 1924 - D. 2006


Alfred Basbous's works express a lifelong exploration of the human form and its abstract properties. Focused on the aesthetic principles of shape, movement, line and material, his sculptures display a deeply ingrained sincerity and a search for the essence of beauty. Working in the tradition of sculptors such as Jean Arp, Constantin Brâncuși and Henry Moore, Alfred Basbous explores the potential of noble materials such as bronze, wood and marble to express the sensuality and purity of the human form. This aversion towards frivolous and meaningless embellishments echoes the artist's philosophy rooted in simplicity and earnestness.
His first exhibition in Beirut, at the Alecco Saab gallery in 1958, marked the beginning of a long and significant trajectory as a sculptor.

In 1960, he received a scholarship from the French government and became a pupil of the sculptor René Collamarini at 'The National Fine Arts School in Paris' (L'Ecole Nationale des Beaux-Arts de Paris). In 1961, his works were included in the International Sculpture Exhibition at the Musée Rodin, in Paris.

Between 1994 and 2004, Basbous organised the International Symposium of Sculpture in Rachana, Lebanon, where famous sculptors from around the world were invited to create, sculpt and exhibit their works alongside his own.

Throughout his life, Basbous won many awards including the "Prix de l'Orient" in Beirut in 1963 and the price of Biennale in Alexandria in 1974. When he died in 2006, the President of the Lebanese Republic, in order to honour him, awarded him the "Medal of the Lebanese Order of Merit" in gold.

The works of Alfred Basbous are part of numerous public collections throughout the world, including the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, the Musée Rodin in Paris, the Hakone Open-Air Museum in Japan and the Modern and Contemporary Art Museum (MACAM) in Lebanon, among others. His monumental works are present in the public areas of Beirut and many Lebanese cities.

 

EDUCATION

1960 Ecole Nationale des Beaux-Arts, Paris, France

 

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2021, Minimal AbstractionTabari Artspace, Abu Dhabi Art, UAE

2021, Figurative to Abstraction, Tabari Artspace, Cromwell Place, London

2017, Alfred Basbous: Modernist Pioneer - Selected Works, Sophia Contemporary Gallery, London

2016, Figurative to Abstraction, Tabari Artspace, Dubai

2015, Bronze Collection, Mark Hachem Gallery, Paris

2015, Dubai Modernist Pioneer, Tabari Artspace, Dubai 

2014, Bronze Collection, Opera Gallery, Dubai

2014, Bronze Collection, Monte Carlo Beach Club, Abu Dhabi

2013, Bronze Collection, Monte Carlo Beach Club, Abu Dhabi

2012, Artist's Forum, Rachana

2011, Lebanese Parliament, Lebanon

2011, Libanpost Stamps, Basbous Brothers

1996, SNA building, Tabaris Beirut, Lebanon

1985, Rimal, Zouk Mosbeh, La Toile Gallery, Lebanon

1984, Halat, Halate Sur Mer Garden, Lebanon

1984, Elcir Gallery, Antelias, Beirut, Lebanon

1982, One Gallery, Zalka, Lebanon

1979, Damo Gallery, Antelias, Lebanon

1972, Contact Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon

1970, Excelsior Hotel Garden, Beirut, Lebanon

1967, Amateur Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon

1967, Modern Institute Garden in Lebanon, Fanar, Lebanon

1966, Phoenicia Hotel Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon

Excelsior Hotel Garden, Beirut, Lebanon

1965, One Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon

1962, Salle du Quotidien "L'Orient", Beirut, Lebanon

1959, Alecco Saab Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon

 

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2023, Abu Dhabi Art, UAE

2022, Abu Dhabi Art, UAE

2016, Sophia Contemporary Gallery, Summer Show, London, England

1998, Abu Dhabi Cultural Center, UAE

1998, Dubai Cultural Center, UAE

1998, Oman Gallery, Oman

1994, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, England

1993, Shroder & Asseili Gardens, London, England

1988, Kuwait Hilton International Hotel, Kuwait

1988, Platform International Gallery, Washington, United States

1982, Decoline Gallery, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

1980, Elcir Gallery, Mkalles, Lebanon

1977, Les Jardins du Quotidien Le Reveil, Jdeidet El Metn, Lebanon

1975, Jdeidet El Metn Roundabout, Lebanon

1974, Collamarini workshop at Rodin Museum in Paris, France

1974, UENO Museum, royal museum in the city of Tokyo, Japan

1974, Cheikh Pierre Gemayel caves in Bekfaya, Lebanon

1974, Cite Scoute, Smar Jbeil, Lebanon

1973, Starco Center, Beirut, Lebanon

1971, Souk Tawil, Beirut, Lebanon

1971, Open air exhibitions in Faubourg of Saint Honoré, Paris, France

1971, Halles Gallery, Paris, France

1962, Alecco Saab Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon

1961, Rodin Museum, Paris, France

1961, Superior National School Of Fine Arts, Paris, France

 

BIENNALES

1974, Biennial of Alexandria, Egypt

 

PUBLIC SCULPTURE

2003, Public garden of Jdeidet municipality, Metn, Lebanon

2003, Garden of Zahlé Municipality, Lebanon

1992, Espace Center, Kaslik, Lebanon

1984, Halate Sur Mer Gardens, Lebanon

1984, Halate Public square, Tannourine, Lebanon

1981, Maison du Futur Garden, Naccache, Lebanon

1981, Antelias city entrance, Lebanon

1981, Zouk Mkayel Municipality gardens, Lebanon

1977, Les Jardins du Quotidien "Le Reveil", Lebanon

1977, Jdeidet El Metn, Lebanon

1977, Tabarja Beach garden, Tabarja, Lebanon

1973, Beirut port, Lebanon

1971, Rayfoun roundabout, Lebanon

1962, Municipality Garden, Zahlé, Lebanon 

 

AWARDS

2006, Awarded the "Medal of the Lebanese Order of Merit in Gold" by the President of

the Lebanese Republic, Emile Lahoud

2005, Awarded "Commander the Order of Cedar" by the President of the Lebanese

Republic, Emile Lahoud

2004, Awarded the "National Medal of the Order of the Cedar, Officer Order (طباض)"

by the President of the Lebanese Republic, Emile Lahoud

1997, Honorary diploma of INSEAD

1996, Honorary diploma of Lions club

1994, Awarded the "Medal of the National Order of Cedar, order of Knight" by the

President of the Lebanese Republic, Elias Hraoui

1974, Biennale laureate of Alexandria, Egypt

1965, Honorary award at the autumn fair of Sursock Museum

1964, Honorary award at the autumn fair of Sursock Museum

1963 Prix de l'Orient Beirut, Lebanon

1963, Laureate of the East award, Lebanon

1961, First award at the Superior National school of Fine Arts, Paris

 

SELECTED COLLECTIONS

Guggenheim, UAE

Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, UK

Musée Rodin, Paris, France

Hakone Open-Air Museum, Hakone, Japan

Modern and Contemporary Art Museum (MACAM), Lebanon

Lebanese Parliament, Beirut, Lebanon

 

SELECTED PRESS

2019, Mojeh, Art Unleashed: Exploring Public Art In The Middle East

2017, Apollo, Celebrating Alfred Basbous, the artist who breathed life into Lebanese sculpture

 2017, Wallpaper, Smooth operator: a new show highlights Alfred Basbous' unique command of line and form