Lebanese comic illustrator Tells her version of history
Written by Nisha Momin
There is no doubt that Lebanon has received its fair share of publicity in 2020- from hyper-inflation, to the Beirut explosion, and political unrest, and amidst the turmoil, the world seems to have lost sight of the true beauty and cultural richness of Lebanon. After speaking with Tracy Chahwan, a comic illustrator from Beirut, I can firmly say that Beirut may be one of the most vibrant and creative cities in the world.
Sound of Beirut by Tracy Chahwan
Tracy found her start as an artist while pursuing her Master’s degree in Lebanon. She created a comic book as a project that unexpectedly got published and used that momentum to begin her career as a poster artist, designing for different venues around Beirut. One of her illustrations titled Sound of Beirut was designed for a party hosted by the Beirut Groove Collective and was featured on hoodies from La Terre Est Folle - a local streetwear brand. This piece, with its vibrant colors and elongated shapes, captures the energy and beauty that Beirut exudes.
Tracy recently ventured into comic journalism and is currently working on a collective comic book about Stories of Lebanese Feminism, along with 5 other female artists. Her chapter of the book tells the story of an activist during the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990), and through her story, Tracy conveys themes pertaining to feminism during the civil war. In general, Tracy’s work tends to include dark humor and grotesque imagery that depict the experiences of women in Lebanon.
When we spoke to Tracy, she told us about the immense support she gets from the community in Beirut and the privilege of being surrounded by outstanding artists who just so happen to be her close friends. Tracy is just one of Lebanon’s change-makers who are defying the odds and taking control of their creative expression. Check out Tracy’s instagram and tracychehwan.com to get acquainted with her art!
A few of tracy’s works:
