ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author focuses on Syrian artistic production that can be classified as “critical”. Since taking up oil painting in the European modality in the early twentieth century, Syrian artists have used art as a means to articulate critique, address socio-political and socio-cultural issues and call for change. The author aims to refute similar notions about artistic production in Syria and present some aspects of it to show its richness and complexity. The author would like to conclude by expressing my hope that the violence in Syria will end soon and that Syrians, artists and non-artists, can return to their country and start the process of rebuilding. For those artists, who may choose to stay in their new homes, it is author's hope that they will continue to develop exciting work and enrich the art scenes of these locations.
