The Art of Life and Imagination Talented Lebanese Illustrators to Follow on Instagram
There is nothing more fulfilling and essentially pure than watching human beings express their emotions, convictions and fluctuating mental states through purposeful art. This month, we’re shedding light on the work of talented Lebanese illustrators who have managed to pour their individual artistic universes into aesthetically gripping Instagram pages. Our handpicked selection is illustrated below!
Cynthia Merhej @cynthiamerhej
Beirut-based illustrator and fashion designer Cynthia Merhej explores the fine line between the real and the imaginary in her humorous and surreal visual narratives. Having studied Visual Communication at the UK’S Royal College of Art and Graphic Design at Central Saint Martins, she perpetually draws upon her diverse cultural influences to conceive intellectually and artistically compelling illustrations.
Samer Mghabghab @samerstuff
This captivating account is all about clean-cut lines and characteristically modern illustrations. Mghabghab may be the youngest illustrator on the list (he’s only just graduated high school), but his superior technique and effortless lines make him a natural talent to watch and follow. The future surely looks bright for this one!
Nour Flayhan @nouriflayhan
Lebanese-american illustrator and UAL graduate Nour Flayhan shares remarkably stylish illustrations that are both individual in their character and consistent in terms of aesthetic. Simple and compelling, her distinctive artistic flair is beautifully expressed in each of her Instagram posts.
Rana Zaher @ranazaher.illustrator
Having pursued a graduate programme in Ancient Near Eastern Archeology at AUB just a couple years after completing her Graphic Design studies at the same institution, illustrator and designer Rana Zaher implements elements of visual theory, semiotics and art history into her work as a means of both academic and personal research. Her distinctively precise visual style borrows from ancient cultures of the Levant, North Syria and Mesopotamia.
Zari Haidar @justzhm
An architect/urban designer by profession and self-taught illustrator by passion, Haidar skillfully doodles her way across everyday spectacles by incorporating quirky characters and meticulously executed illustrations into real-life photographs. You can easily tell from her posts that her sketchbook travels with her everywhere! A piece of her work was even featured on none but Instagram’s official page in 2015.
Georgio Bassil @georgio.copter
Bassil gained international attention after winning Best Snapchat Artist of the Year in the 2016 Ghosties Awards in recognition of his unmistakable talent, which consists of blending detailed illustrations of colourfully peculiar monsters into day-to-day snaps. And although his influence is biggest on Snapchat, his Instagram serves as an equally compelling destination for art enthusiasts!
Tala Sharafeddine @skinsells
A quick glance at Sharefeddine’s smartly arranged Instagram art account is enough confirmation of her naturalborn artistic talent. Digital or hand-painted, her portraits follow a stylistically diverse yet expressively unique approach that keeps you coming back for more. “Mostly, I just try to show the million ways to be human,” she told Arabad.