Gilbert Halaby, born in 1979, who grew up in Lebanon and studied in Beirut, has drawn and painted since he was a child. Captivated by the beauty of the natural landscape in Mount Lebanon, he would spend long hours playing in the woods amid the olive and pine trees signal natural forms which, to this day, influence and play a profound role in his art. His aesthetic eye first drew him to the artistry of fashion. After studying archaeology at the Lebanese University in Beirut, he went to Rome and was instantly captivated, calling that first encounter un coup de foudre.
Entirely self-taught as a painter, Halaby’s style has been honed over the past six years, in which he has dedicated himself daily to painting in his studio. Gilbert Halaby debuted in March 2023 with his solo exhibition titled “Domus Berytus”, which took place at Beit Beirut Museum in the Lebanese capital. His second Solo took place in his adoptive city, Rome, under the title of: “Une Comédie Romaine” - at Maja Arte Contemporanea (June 202 3). His third solo - “Will You Wait For Me Under That Pine Tree?” - opened in January 2024 in Abu Dhabi at ArtBooth. His Fourth Solo - “Apogee Of Light” - Opened in March 2024 in Palm Beach at Maja Arte Contemporanea’s first gallery popup. In October 2024 - he opened another solo exhibition “ The First Harvest” at the IAMY museum of Hydra, Greece.
Halaby’s works are featured in prestigious private collections and are part of the permanent collections of the Malvina Menegaz Foundation in Castelbasso, Italy; the Kinda Foundation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; and the Lebanese Presidential Contemporary Collection.