For her new solo exhibition in Riyadh, Lebanese artist Lana Khayat is drawing on the language of flowers and ancient script to project her musings. Titled ‘The White Lilies of Marrakech: Women as Timeless Narratives’, the show features vibrant canvasses inspired by the rich cultural heritage of Morocco, as an homage to Jardin Majorelle’s 100th year.
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Her new paintings explore the use of the white lily – found in the iconic garden – as a symbol of femininity, resilience and strength. It is a theme that resonates deeply with the artist: As the first woman artist in a family with a rich artistic lineage – her great- grandfather, Mohamad Suleiman Khayat, contributed the creation and restoration of traditional Syrian Ajami rooms and his work has been showcased at many prestigious institutions around the world such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York; her grandfather furthered that influence and her father explored creativity through architecture – Khayat’s work has challenged inherited expectations and strives to create spaces that honour the legacy of women.
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“Marrakech, a historic cultural crossroads, embodies the fusion of tradition and modernity – central to my work. Its Berber, Arab, and Andalusian influences make it the perfect backdrop for exploring identity, language, and transformation,” Khayat tells AD. “Cobalt blue has always been the prominent colour in my work and it's also very present in Jardin Majorelle, which spoke to me.