Perennial optimism flourishes: Tom Young's art showcases Lebanon's charm amidst the enduring wounds of warfare
In the heart of Beirut, British artist Tom Young has been creating a unique blend of past and present, merging urban landscapes of Beirut and London in his intricate paintings. With a studio nestled in the vibrant district of Gemmayzeh, northern Beirut, Young has been deeply connected to Lebanon for about 16 years.
Tom Young's work is a reflection of Lebanon's landscapes, urban scenes, and cultural history, often showcasing the scars of conflict alongside symbols of new life and hope. His architectural training is evident in the complex cityscapes he creates, with Beirut and London imagery intertwined, symbolising layered histories and personal experiences.
One of his most striking paintings depicts a Tiananmen Square-like moment in Lebanon, featuring a hijab-clad woman confronting Israeli tanks. Elsewhere, giant flowers rise from the rubble, symbolising new life after conflict and decay. These powerful images echo the themes of war, beauty, displacement, love, and re-rooting that permeate Young's work.
Themes of English Romanticism and French Impressionism resonate in Young's work, albeit with a contemporary twist. His focus on emotional landscapes, nature, and transformation echoes the concern with sublimity and personal feeling that characterises Romanticism. His attention to shifting light, urban scenes, and natural forms suggests affinities with Impressionist interests. However, Young's work is very much focused on contemporary issues and personal narrative rather than straightforwardly continuing those styles.
Tom Young's journey as an artist began at the Norwich School of Art and continued with architectural studies at Newcastle and Istanbul. His first exhibition outside of Indian art was a result of Indar Pasricha, an Indian art dealer, being captivated by his Lebanese work. The 2008 crash in the London art market led to a solo show in a Beirut gallery.
Tom's personal life is intertwined with his art. His car mechanic, Raed Zahreddine, commissioned him to paint in Lebanon. His mother's death when he was 10 and his politically edgy aunt and uncle, who often argued with Israeli tour guides and IDF soldiers, have undoubtedly influenced his work. His grandmother, Dorothy Vaughan, was brought up in India and introduced him to oil painting.
Tom's current exhibition features both British and Lebanese landscapes, aiming to challenge stereotypes and show the connections between the two. The port of Beirut, where a catastrophic explosion occurred in 2020, is a few minutes' walk from his home. Despite a commission to paint in India, Young remains deeply connected to Lebanon.
Tom Young's work is grounded in the tradition of English romanticism and French Impressionism, yet it is a testament to his unique vision and personal journey. His paintings draw on his architectural training, with complex street-scapes that reward long and close looking. Young's great-great-aunt was Marianne North, a pioneering botanical artist who travelled extensively.
In Lebanon, Tom Young has found a ready market for his work and cites Omar Onsi, Ayman Baalbaki, and Daniele Genadry as favourite artists from the region. Engaged to a Lebanese woman, Young's life and work are deeply rooted in the country he has come to call home.
Tom Young's art, rooted in Lebanon, extends beyond urban landscapes and cultural history to encompass various themes such as travel and home-and-garden, as evidenced by his paintings that depict nature rising from conflict rubble. His exploration of personal narrative and contemporary issues reflects a lifestyle that seamlessly blends the vibrant environments of Beirut and other travel destinations with his home in Gemmayzeh, northern Beirut.
