Biography
Tarek Butayhi, born in Damascus, Syria in 1982, graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Damascus University in 2006. He is renowned for his expressive portrayals of women that challenge traditional representations of femininity. Rather than objectifying his subjects, Butayhi depicts women engaged in everyday activities—such as writing, eating, and texting—to highlight their humanity and reject the male gaze.
His work is characterized by a blend of neutral tones punctuated by bursts of electric pink and purple, with blurred forms that lean towards abstraction. Butayhi’s spontaneous brushwork and emotive color palette capture the essence of his subjects’ daily lives, moving away from stereotypical representations of the female form.
He has showcased his art in several group exhibitions across Syria, Lebanon, and Cairo, and has held solo exhibitions in Syria, Kuwait, Jordan, and Canada. His unique approach and focus on the inner world of his subjects have established him as a significant figure in contemporary art.
Artwork
