zena el-khalil

Zena el-Khalil, born 1976 in London, has lived in Nigeria, London, New York, and Beirut. Zena is an installation artist and a painter. Her work centers on issues of war, love, family and religion. Her work is a direct reflection of the time and space she lives in. her palette presently consists of pinks, purples and golds. She has exhibited her work in New York, San Francisco, Lebanon, Japan, Nigeria and London to name a few places.

Zena is the co-founder and director of xanadu*, an art space/collective based in New York city and Beirut, dedicated to promoting young and/or under-represented artists. she lives in Beirut with her soul mate, Wael and their jack russel terrier, Tampopo.

"Super Star"

This is a portrait of a man who, overnight, turned into an international media sensation. Regardless of my political opinions, his voice was the one I waited to hear. I find that by painting him, perhaps I can break past the media pop star, and try to get to know the human being who has come to have such an overwhelming presence in my life.