Moments of Hope is a solo exhibition by acclaimed Syrian artist Besher Koushaji, which is on display at Firetti Contemporary until 12 January 2026. It takes one on a quiet, contemplative journey through memory, resilience, and the fragile radiance that emerges from lived experience. Steeped in the emotional landscapes of displacement, longing, and cultural continuity, the exhibition presents a series of works in which Koushaji reflects on both personal history and broader collective narratives shaped by conflict and uncertainty.
His paintings are layered compositions (horizontal and vertical strata that overlap like fragments of time) where past, present, and imagined futures coexist. Through this structure, Koushaji opens reality and invites viewers to navigate between clarity and fragmentation, between what is remembered and what still feels unresolved. Recurring symbols such as flowers, pomegranates, lemons, and anemones anchor the works in everyday rituals and familial memory, transforming simple objects into poetic markers of endurance.
Equally central is the female figure: an embodiment of strength, continuity, and cultural memory. It grounds the works in an archetype that speaks to both personal affection and shared heritage. Rather than portraying hope as a distant ideal, Koushaji presents it as something delicate yet vital: subtle illumination capable of breaking through darkness and reshaping pain into beauty.
About the artist
Besher Koushaji (b. 1983, Hama, Syria), who earned an MA in Fine Arts and Visual Communication from Damascus University, explores themes of memory, displacement, and the longing for a home that exists now mostly in recollection. He began his artistic journey with a focus on Syrian architecture, using painting to preserve the built heritage of his homeland. Over time, his practice shifted toward portraiture and figurative compositions, which brought emotional intimacy and narrative depth to the forefront.
Koushaji’s recent works centre on portraits of women captured in everyday moments, yet visually fractured through lines, grids, and segmented planes. These distortions echo the fragmented nature of memory itself; they transform the figures, often inspired by loved ones from Syria, into symbols of affection, nostalgia, and loss. Through this approach, Koushaji conveys the delicate act of revisiting cherished memories, infusing each composition with sensitivity and emotional resonance.
Influences from his graphic design background and his interest in Arabic calligraphy and arabesque motifs remain visible throughout his work, lending structure, rhythm, and a refined visual cadence to his paintings. His distinctive blend of cultural references and contemporary expression has earned him recognition across the Middle East and internationally.
Koushaji’s art pieces have been featured in many exhibitions and major art events, which include Art Cairo 2024 (Egypt); Contemplate (solo) (Wadi Finan Art Gallery, Amman, Jordan, 2022); Painting the Figure (Rosenfeld Gallery, London, UK, 2021); Shenzhen Biennale 2020 (Shenzhen, China); and Beirut Art Fair 2019 (Lebanon), among others.
To get more information about Moments of Hope, please visit the exhibition’s official web page.
You might also be interested in attending Afterschool, a group exhibition at ATHR.
To stay connected with the latest art news, feel free to follow our Telegram channel.
