Samir Tamari: From creative director to seasoned painter

When Lebanese artist Samir Tamari first embarked on his creative journey, he sent a painting to an NGO in Paris, which put it up for bidding at a luxurious auction. The elite were in attendance that day. To his disbelief, an acquaintance of his sent him footage of people fighting over his work of art. He had reluctantly sent it. “It was a positive shock for me, giving me a boost, validation and confidence to stay the course in my artistic pursuit”, admits Tamari.

His latest exhibition in Rebirth Beirut, One Brush Two Worlds, equally explores two styles in painting, the abstract and the figurative, both coming from the same brush. He had organized many solo exhibitions before but never where his two styles of art are equally displayed such as now. “My cup of tea is the figurative because of my background in advertising, it has concept-driven ideas”.

Which direction his brush takes depends on his mood. Sometimes he delves into color, which is the abstract style. “The message behind the work is the feeling and the mood you get when the colors reflect on you”, says Tamari.

A path woven with creativity 

The path that led him to this solo exhibition was a creative one. Thirteen years ago, he retired from a rewarding career in advertising as a creative director. Figurative paintings are much like his work in advertising, it means there is a figure, a person inside of the piece. “I don’t give away all the information. I want the audience to connect the dots in their mind to make sense of the painting and be involved in it”, says Tamari. “The more there’s a mental trajectory drawn, the more depth will appear within the painting”. 

Born in Beirut, he used to love to draw as kid, sketching for his grandfather, and his mother as she watched TV. He would’ve loved a career in the arts, however it was uncertain and hardly a recommended trajectory. “At the time, if your parents weren’t in the field to pave the way, in an age without social media, it would’ve been nearly impossible to make a name for yourself”. He pursued studies in Art and Advertising Techniques in Montreal, Canada, and went into a medium that had opportunities for employment.

A major source of inspiration is his mother’s village of Saghbine, in West Bekaa, where they would go every summer. It left a lasting mark on him due to the wealth in colors, shapes and authentic life giving his work priceless emotional depth.

Tamari has chosen Lebanon to be his home, but his work was showcased on numerous continents, such as the LAU New York auction in August 2022, Next Street Gallery Paris in November 2024, and Galerie de Medicis, Paris in January 2025.

An interpreter of the soul 

While some artists may have a firmer approach, his motto is that he’s not a technician, he paints to express himself, always having something to say or to make others feel. “My art comes from the heart. I wouldn’t finish any painting if I wasn’t satisfied with the result”, affirms Tamari. It’s an expression of his haunting feelings and thoughts. 

Simply put, his work resonates with people because it echoes people’s emotions and memories, whether joyful or distressing. They have the desire to add something pleasant and joyful to their home, that refreshes their interior and elevates it.

With that in mind, one of his pieces holds historic and comical meaning. The concept for the “Mamlouk Lost in Laklouk” painting came together after he saw a program on television about the Mamlouks dynasty. Thousands of them attacked the Shiites and Maronites in Laklouk. In the piece, a Mamlouk rider had to use the restroom, he got off his horse, tied him and hid behind a tree. The fog had set so the others departed leaving the rider behind. What could that poor soul do without Google Maps or GPS to find his way? 

In an effort to sustain an artistic career in Lebanon, Tamari stresses that sincerity is key. He paints first and foremost for himself. It’s his form of self-expression and people are responding positively to it. Keeping his own voice is of high importance to him, not falling into fads, always bettering himself and coming up with new ideas. Through this prism, the artist resides in the out-of-the-box sphere and doesn’t dwell in his comfort zone.

“Consistent? Maybe. Predictable? Never. Let my comfort zone sue me”, says Tamari.

Coming from the heart

The final, and perhaps most telling, point is that he hopes viewers will have a smile on their faces when they leave his exhibition. It is the highest form of satisfaction for him. His reward comes from their enjoyment if the work touches them. “My paintings come from the heart, and whenever it comes from the heart it is sincere”, which would ring true with likeminded people.

As he steps into another milestone, the future hinted at by “One Brush Two Worlds” is what excites Tamari most. He is striving for the expansion of his work and notions, to be present in international galleries. Global recognition is the aim of his current endeavors, and he is taking steady strides towards it.