Biography
Born in Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, Salwa Zeidan left her home country in the 1980s and settled in the United Arab Emirates, where she has made significant contributions as both a painter and curator. In 1994, she established the first contemporary art gallery in Abu Dhabi, focusing on Emirati, Middle Eastern, and international artists. Known for her abstract minimalist style and calligraphic gestures, Zeidan’s work spans painting, mixed media, and sculpture, with notable pieces like her Black Spiral series reflecting themes of freedom and movement.
A self-taught artist, Zeidan has refined her technique through personal research, global museum visits, and workshops with renowned artists. Her international exhibitions include art fairs and biennales in the USA, Canada, Switzerland, Italy, France, Spain, Turkey, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Lebanon. Her significant exhibition “Culture for Peace” at the Royal Academy of Science International in London in 1999 marked her commitment to promoting peace. An ambassador for the World Peace Marker Project in Lebanon since 2006, she has received several awards, including the fourth prize at the Florence Biennale, and spoke at the Women Peace Conference in Dallas in 2007. Salwa continues to live and work in Abu Dhabi, where she reopened her gallery in 2008.
