Born in Zahle, Lebanon, 1963
Joseph El Arid is a self-taught painter who pursued further studies at the Royal Art Society in Sydney, as well as MC Avoy Studio and La Grande Chaumière in Paris. He is a member of the Lebanese Artists Association for Painters and Sculptors.
Since 1986, El Arid has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Lebanon, France, Australia, and Italy. His work has been showcased at cultural centers, art fairs, and institutional exhibitions, including the Goethe-Institut in Beirut, the Museo d’Arte di Chianciano in Italy, and the American University of Beirut. He was Guest of Honour at the Salon d’Art de Compiègne, France in 2000 and has exhibited in landmark local events such as Escalier de l’Art in Gemmayze, the Estival Deir El Qamar, and several editions of the Zahle cultural programs.
El Arid’s artistic practice is rooted in expressive, intuitive painting, and reflects his deep connection to his hometown Zahle and to the broader Lebanese landscape. His participation in regional symposiums and collective exhibitions with the Lebanese Ministry of Culture underscores his ongoing commitment to the local art scene.
