Arleb by Nabad interviews Lea Morcos, a Syrian born artist who is living and working in Lebanon. With a university degree in Political Sciences from Sciences Po, Paris, Lea Morcos moved to the world of art with studies in mosaic, painting and sculpture at a number of schools and institutes in Lebanon and Italy. Her recent artwork focuses on the power of chance.

Arleb by Nabad – What is your background?

Lea Morcos – I always had an inclination towards, and a keen interest in nature and the arts, before I even considered becoming an artist. When I took the leap into the arts, I first started my exploratory journey in mosaics; with time, I gradually went deeper into painting and sculpture. I feel my discovery journey in the arts will be a lifetime journey. 

Arleb by Nabad – What is the experience that has influenced your work the most? 

Lea Morcos – What is so interesting is that, when I am in tune with my environnement, any small event can trigger the most interesting exploration, and that becomes a special experience in itself. 

Arleb by Nabad – Which subjects or themes are you working on? 

Lea Morcos – I am currently working on the concept of Chance and its evolutionary impact on nature. There is a kind of technical artistry at work in nature, and chance is like a driving force that pushes a matter in a certain way. Why is it that one direction is picked and not the other? I think it’s because of the “will to power” of that matter.

Arleb by Nabad –  What is your creative process like? 

Lea Morcos – My inspiration is nature and philosophy. Sometimes I stumble on an idea or a concept in my readings that triggers an acute interest to explore this idea in a concrete physical way, so I try to render it in a sculpture or a painting. 

Arleb by Nabad – What was the impact of the Beirut port explosions (August 4, 2020) on your work as an artist/creative enterprise? 

Lea Morcos – The Beirut explosion triggered in me a sense of deep anguish and, at the same time, anger that had to be expressed in some way. I felt I needed to pour this anger right back in the face of the culprits.

Arleb by Nabad – What are, according to you, the roles of arts and culture in social, economic, environmental or political change? 

Lea Morcos – I think art is what makes us more human and, at the same time, it reminds us that we are part of nature and of our environment. It’s the bond that keeps us in touch with our humanity and that makes us open, curious and welcoming to the world.

Arleb by Nabad – What are, according to you, the main challenges/obstacles facing artists/creative enterprises in Lebanon nowadays? 

Lea Morcos – I think there is a lot of creativity that can be unleashed nowadays, but what is sad now is that artists are facing so many hardships economically, socially and politically. These can be overwhelming, and the pandemic, on top of that, is one additional, bigger blow, because it keeps art isolated – unable to be seen and enjoyed and interacted with.

CHECK OUT LEA MORCOS PROFILE AND ARTWORKS FOR SALE ON ARLEB.