The following is not a regular biography of the multidisciplinary Lebanese artist Ajaj Fendi Al Araoui.  As his close friends and fellow artists describe him, he is “a man with the head in the clouds, the heart in the wind, and the feet deeply rooted in a virtual earth that walked with him instead of him walking on it.” He was always called Khawaja Ajaj to indicate his gentleman traits.

Ajaj Al Araoui never really cared about documenting his artwork or for protecting it from the damages of time and storage. When he realized that he should take heed of that, he would try to arrange that while at the same time birthing further artwork that went beyond oil on canvas.

His paintings went into the intimacy of his friends’ houses with no documentation or dates of creation. He never sold his artwork but gifted it. His family is the only witness to the fact that he drew them and when he drew them. He often neglected signing his paintings. At times in an urge to move to another artwork at others simply lack interest. What mattered is the art itself to this man whose creative mind was often enmeshed in dreams and travelled amidst clouds.  

An artist beyond his time. He seemed to believe that these clouds will store his artwork (way before any digital clouds where near existence). Inevitably, many of his artistic aspirations remained unfulfilled, and waited scattered in the autumn winds that witnessed his birth in 1934 under the sign of Scorpio.

Then the Lebanese civil war erupted. Some of his paintings and sculptures were destroyed, others lost while having to move from one place to another.  

One of his most notable art collections is the ones he conceived while he was residing in Paris. The turbulent and joyful city allowed him to draw a unique colourful collection of artwork that revealed contentment and hope which rarely appeared in his work in general. This collection remained in a an ancient big wood closet that was sold to one of the owners of antique shops in Beirut (Basta area). When remembered his paintings after many days of the sale he tried to find them, but it was too late.

A unique character in many ways, he would purposefully tear apart a couple of his paintings when more than one person wanted to acquire the same paintings during one of this art exhibitions as he could not tolerate the fight that caused.

Looking back, Ajaj Al Araoui realized that losing this work that is a form of autobiography is one of the things he regretted the most.  

Ajaj Fendi Al Araoui is not only a painter nor a dreamer, but he also mastered almost every art medium:  oil, acrylic, mixed media, ink, pastels, oil pastel, charcoal on paper, on wood on stencil. Art work and sculptures done in resin, plastic, marble, gypsum , Styrofoam, and other. Each made his entourage look at them with awe.

An artist in every sense, he shined in designing logos, manuscripts, illustrations, maps, posters, layout for newspapers, magazines and books and even stamp design. He brought to life artwork in mosaic, ceramics, and wax. His work extended in designing pieces with which he furnished his home in the tumultuous city of Beirut, which included mosaic tables and chairs, and children’s wooden toys, and light bulbs some of which he plunged in small artificial lakes that made his balcony and his love for plants a true charm in the eyes of his family members.

In addition, the artist was a true pioneer in the field of newspapers, magazines, pamphlets, brochures, silkscreen, carving in wood for printable templates, and book layouts as well as advertisement designs.

From these publications we mention “Al Nahar newspaper”, “Al Diyar newspaper”, Al Hayat newspaper, “Al Arabia Magazine”, “Al Sahara magazine”,” Al Biaa magazine”, and “Al Iktisaad wal a Amaal “. He also created the logos of “Moulhak al Nahar”, “Al Nahar al Araby wa al Douali”, “Moulhak al Shabab”. And also the publication by “Al Nahar” newspaper that was launched in the memory of the 2 years Lebanese civil war. One of the artist paintings “Dooms Day” was its cover photo.

 He created 3 calligraphy series and named them after his children. His first child used one of these series in one of her book publications as a mean of recognition.

This website has no more than 30 percent of his total artwork which he continues to enrich to this date.

The following highlights some major events in his artistic journey:

Born is Beirut 1933

Completed his school years in “Al Makassed Al Isslamiya”

Joined the Jesuite Printing Press in 1954 as an illustrator.

Joined The American University of Beirut in 1957 to study Fine Arts

Went to “Dante cultural institute” where participated throughout the year in many art workshops. In 1958 The institute launched an art contest for Lebanese artists. Won a scholarship to continue his art studies in Florence.

In 1960 he returned to Lebanon to continue his studies in mosaic, ceramics, illustration, and newspaper design.

Joined in 1964 “Al Nahar newspaper” as the art director.

Won awards for the designing the following books “Nashid Al Anashid”,“The Prophet” , and “Al Injil wa al Aykouna”.

 In 1988 he directed the artistic part of UNICEF health campaign

In 1994 he joined “A l Iktisad wa al Amaal” and Äl Hasnaa”magazines as the art director.

In 2010 he was invited to UNESCO Palace in Beirut for an honorary reception to celebrate his outstanding participation in the art field.