At Buro247 Middle East, we are committed to showcasing and celebrating the extraordinary talent in the Arab world. With our column, #BuroSpotlights, we bring you stories of pioneering artists, innovative designers, tech trailblazers, cinematic visionaries, sports stars, and more.
This week, #BuroSpotlights Lebanese artist Mariam Ajami.
Mariam Ajami is a Lebanese artist whose work brings the surreal to life through intricate collages. Ajami’s art is a vivid exploration of the subconscious, blending reality and imagination into a dreamlike vision. Her intricate collages offer a glimpse into her personal world, where everyday elements are reimagined into whimsical narratives. Growing up in Lebanon, Ajami draws heavily from her experiences, using her art to reflect on the complexities of life in her homeland.
Her works are thought-provoking stories crafted through careful observation and experimentation. Ajami’s creative process is rooted in automatism—allowing her unconscious mind to guide her choices as she pieces together unrelated elements. This spontaneity gives her collages fluidity and richness, as though each piece evolves on its own until it reveals its deeper meaning. Through this intuitive approach, Ajami creates surreal landscapes that challenge conventional perceptions of reality. She balances this sense of whimsy with symbolism, using objects, colors, and textures to reflect themes of nostalgia, disruption, and resilience.
Her work defies expectations by playing with scale, positioning, and contrast, encouraging viewers to engage with the narrative on a personal level. Whether through her use of vibrant colors or the subtle nods to childhood innocence, Ajami’s collages invite us to step into her world and reconsider our own perceptions of reality.
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