Damascus, SANA-The first solo exhibition by visual artist Fatima Sheikh al-Shabab embraced abstraction to convey the human anguish experienced by Syrians during the years of revolution and siege.

Titled “Anin” (“Groan”), and hosted by the Mustafa Ali Gallery in Old Damascus city, the exhibition presents 21 paintings. Fatima adopts an expressive approach verging on abstraction, incorporating a variety of materials—most notably acrylic, alongside charcoal and pastel.

Among the exhibition’s most prominent pieces is a painting of the Syrian child Alan, who drowned during migration. The piece serves as a symbol of a childhood lost too soon. Fatima depicts him as a sorrowful spirit, his toy still by his side, embodying the deep sense of abandonment felt by many attempting to flee hunger and siege.

Fatima, a graduate of the Department of Interior Architecture at the Faculty of Fine Arts, told SANA: “Anin” is the essence of emotions and stories I lived and heard during the difficult years our country has endured. Through this exhibition, I sought to portray the psychological state that accompanied Syrians during that period—beyond the war scenes, focusing instead on the individual and their daily struggle.

She noted the support she received from the Union of Fine Artists and the Ministry of Culture, saying,: “I sensed a warm welcome and clear interest from both institutions. It’s an encouraging step for any young artist seeking to share their experience and connect with the public through their art.”

Manar /Adnan