A prominent art theorist and critic, Asaad Arabi was widely recognized as an early innovator of contemporary painting in the Arab world. Born in Damascus, Arabi graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts, where he studied under the Italian artist and instructor Guido La Regina, leader of a new abstractionist school. Following his move to Paris in 1975, Arabi received a diploma in painting from the Higher Institute of Fine Arts and later earned a PhD in Aesthetics from the prestigious Sorbonne University. His studies, essays, and critiques were published extensively in both French and Arabic, elevating him to the rank of a leading art theorist.

Childhood memories of Damascus served as a wellspring of inspiration throughout his career. His lifelong fascination with his hometown became a recurring theme in his artistic repertoire. Arabi’s paintings conveyed a profound sense of nostalgia for his homeland, capturing the essence of Damascus—a city he once lived in and that continued to live in him. Through his expressive palette, he interpreted the sounds and spirit of the city’s alleyways and weathered dwellings.

Arabi held numerous notable solo exhibitions, including at Ayyam Gallery in Jeddah (2013), Dubai’s DIFC (2011), Beirut (2010), and Damascus (2009), as well as at the Cairo Biennial (2004), Sircov Gallery in Brest, France (2003), and the Kuwait Museum (2003). His works became part of esteemed public and private collections, including the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, the Barcelona Contemporary Museum of Art, the National Museum in New Delhi, the National Museum of Korea in Seoul, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), and the Barjeel Art Foundation in Sharjah. Additionally, his artworks were successfully sold at prestigious international auction houses such as Christie’s.