Venice felt like home” Lana Khayat on her debut at Palazzo Albrizzi Cappello
Lebanese artist Lana Khayat reflects on her first exhibition in Venice as more than just a milestone—it was a spiritual alignment. “When I landed in Venice…it was a bit surreal,” she says of the city’s ethereal, free‑spirited aura. “I immediately felt completely at home, while my work somehow seemed to be in harmony with Venice” . Inspired by family legacy, she traces this fearless spirit back to her great‑grandfather, Mohamad Suleiman Khayat, who married calligraphy, geometry, and leaf motifs in his Damascene Ajami work, teaching her to embrace experimentation and risk .
Weaving history, nature & innovation
In her Venice showcase, Lana explored a vibrant tapestry of heritage and abstraction—melding ancient Islamic art, Mesopotamian motifs, and the blues and golds of desert landscapes. She’s also pushing her practice forward, experimenting with textiles, 3D printing, and her signature ‘seda salvaje’ flower series. “Nature becomes my work and the canvas my world,” she explains, describing how every brush stroke captures the light, memory, and contours of her Lebanese upbringing—the walking trails, mountain hues, and introspective silence that inspire her.
Breaking through; past, present & future
A self‑confessed introvert, Lana finds solace in translating her inner world—the tension between solitude and creativity—onto canvas: “It enables me to express myself… capture the essence of the landscapes I’m studying” . Since Venice, she’s continued to build momentum globally: from Saatchi Gallery in London to Artscoops’ Lebanon Show and a special Islamic art collaboration at Christie’s in London. Next stop: Abu Dhabi Art (Nov 2023–Jan 2024), where she’ll debut even more intricate, abstract works that reflect both her artistic evolution and emotional journey .