LONDON — Christie’s, the world-renowned auction house for fine art and luxury, announces the return of its annual Arab Art Exhibition, now in its third edition. Taking place from 16 July to 22 August 2025 at Christie’s global headquarters in London, the exhibition is titled Marwan: A Soul in Exile, and will be the most extensive retrospective ever held for the celebrated Syrian-German artist Marwan Kassab-Bachi, known simply as Marwan.

This major non-selling exhibition, curated by Dr. Ridha Moumni, Chairman of Christie’s Middle East & Africa, will feature over 150 works — including paintings, drawings, works on paper, and editions — loaned from leading institutions and prestigious private collections across Europe and the Middle East. Together, they provide a sweeping survey of Marwan’s six-decade career and his deeply personal exploration of the human condition.

Born in Syria in 1934 and later relocating to Germany, Marwan emerged as a singular voice in the contemporary art world. His powerful figurative works — especially his haunting “facial landscapes” — transcend traditional portraiture, delving into themes of identity, displacement, and metaphysical introspection. His style, influenced by German Expressionism and the Neue Wilde movement, retained a distinct connection to his Arab heritage, often reflecting on political turmoil and human rights.

From his early figurations of the 1960s to the marionette-inspired series and his iconic topographical faces, Marwan’s work evolved into a form of spiritual excavation. By layering paint in earthy tones and using only a limited palette, he rendered faces as terrain — vessels for soul-searching rather than likeness. Rooted in Syrian nationalism and pan-Arab thought, his art often resonated with the poetic mysticism of Sufi traditions, turning the face into a landscape of memory, identity, and resistance.

“Hosting this retrospective is a profound honour,” said Dr. Moumni. “Marwan’s introspective and meditative vision radically redefined portraiture. His legacy bridges cultures, histories, and emotions — embodying both the pain of exile and the persistence of the human spirit. This exhibition is a tribute to his enduring influence on Arab and global contemporary art.”

Marwan: A Soul in Exile marks a defining moment for Christie’s Arab Art Exhibition series, offering a rare opportunity for visitors in London to encounter the breadth and depth of Marwan’s artistic journey. The show highlights his role not only as a pioneering Arab artist but also as a key figure in contemporary German art.

Marwan’s work is held in esteemed public collections worldwide, including the Tate Modern and the British Museum (London), Centre Pompidou (Paris), Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Barjeel Art Foundation (Sharjah), Dalloul Art Foundation (Beirut), Darat al Funun (Amman), Museum of Modern Art (New York), and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art (Doha), among many others.

Presented as part of Christie’s London Summer Season of auctions, exhibitions, and cultural programming, Marwan: A Soul in Exile celebrates the cross-cultural dynamism that defines both London and Marwan’s artistic legacy.

The exhibition runs from 16 July to 22 August 2025 at Christie’s King Street, London. Admission is free.