User:Hilda Abla

About the Artist

Painter, Illustrator, Communications Specialist and Actor, Lebanese-Armenian artist Hildos, was born Hilda Abla in Beirut and lived during the 15 years of war that Lebanon went through. She started her artistic venture when she was 5 at the children art program at Lebanese American University, the university formerly known as Beirut University College. Through which she pursued her Art studies and graduated in 1996.

In July 2009 Hildos finished her master in Marketing and Communications at L’Ecole Supérieure des Affaires (ESCP-EAP). Also she had the chance in August 2011 to participate in the Milton Glaser summer course, a graphic design course given by Mr Glaser the designer of I ♥ NY logo at the School of Visual Arts New York City and a Painting Summer Residency at School of Visual Arts in 2012. In April-May 2000 she had the chance to be part of the Rotary Group Study Exchange team from Lebanon to the USA. The program included personal professional training according to expertise as well as cultural exchange. On another note, since 2004 Hildos pursued her theater passion and she participated in several plays.

From Beirut to New York City she gained her sense of art from all the life struggles she led and dedicated her passion to express those issues. Driven by making a difference in people's lives and considering that Art comes with a responsibility and believing that every artwork should have significance …’It’s about expressing a message, sharing an idea or a struggle. Not to dictate it but rather to inspire it’. Her primary goal was to address social issues but her latest commitment is directed to changing the way women view their bodies and themselves. A challenge she faced most of her life. Through her sense of humor she artistically tackled taboos to illustrate the beauty of the human body, 'seeing beauty in imperfection' away from the stereotypes clichéd by the media. Hildos lives between Beirut and New York City, the city she considers her muse.

Her first theater performance was in July 2005 & Mar 2006 in Betty Taoutal’s “Semblant de piece” at Theatre Monnot and Tournesol. In April & Nov 2007 she played in Betty Taoutal’s “Who’s Claire Zahnassian” at Theatre Monnot and her lastest performance (May-June 2010) was in Ekher Beit Bel Gemmayzeh by Betty Taoutel at Theatre Monnot & Beryte.

''‘My work reflects my funny personality, my personal struggles, seeing beauty in imperfection, my progressive views and sexuality which I express through humor.

''I believe that every work should have significance but we shouldn’t take ourselves too seriously and enjoy the expedition... We only live once right?’    HILDOS

EXHIBITIONS

2013

April

Discover Mar Mikhael- Bright and Funky, Mar Mikhael, Beirut-Lebanon

February till present time

Galerie Zaman (permanent exhibition paintings on consignment),Hamra, Beirut-Lebanon

2012  September

Discover Achrafieh fair, Beirut-Lebanon

August

Les Jardins Ephemeres, Faqra-Lebanon

June

Open Studio, The School of Visual Arts, New York City-USA

Sept 2010

Painting exhibition, Hamra Festival

'''Nov ‘08-Mar. ‘09'''

Solo painting exhibition, Graffiti Café in Hamra, Beirut-Lebanon

'''August 2007 ''' “More Light than Death Could Bear”, Art Lounge, Beirut-Lebanon

June 1997

Group Painting exhibition, Gallery Bekhazi, Beirut-Lebanon

June 1996		

Painting exhibition, Gallery Maraya, Beirut-Lebanon

'''June ’95 & ‘94 ''' Student Exhibit, Lebanese American University, Beirut-Lebanon

THEATER & PERFORMANCES

September 2013

''“Sdour el 3ammet” Play '' Written & Directed by Awad Awad

Played at Mishkal Festival Madinat theater, Beirut-Lebanon

TED talk at TEDxLAU event:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBofhl2Xg2Q

December 2012

''“Mathhab” Play '' Directed By Lina Khoury,

Played at Theatre Gulbenkian LAU,, Beirut-Lebanon

Adaptation from ‘EGBDF Every Good Boy Deserves Favor’ by Tom Stoppard

February 2012

''“The Wives” short movie '' Directed by Maya Saad and screened at the Warner Bros Studios

Adaption from “The Maids” by Jean Genet

December 2011- January 2012

''“Top Girls” by Caryl Churchill '' Played the role of ‘Joyce’

Open Class at Madina Theater, Beirut-Lebanon

Directed by Hadi Tabbal

November 2011

''Beirut, I Love You (I Love You Not)- Season 2 Episode 6 '' A short comedy series,, Beirut-Lebanon

http://www.beirutiloveu.com/

June 2011

''“Woman of Manhattan” by John Patrick Shanley '' Played the role of ‘Rhonda Louise’ Open Class at Madina Theater, Beirut-Lebanon Directed by Hadi Tabbal /

May till June 2010

''“Ekher Beit Bel Gemmayzeh” '' Directed By Betty Taoutel,

Played at Theatre Monnot and Beryte, Beirut-Lebanon

Adaptation from ‘The Cherry Orchard’ by Anton Chekhov's

April & November 2007

''“Who’s Claire Zahnassian” '' Directed By Betty Taoutel,

Played at Theatre Monnot, Beirut-Lebanon

Adaptation from the ‘La Visite de la vieille dame’ by Friedrich Dürrenmatt.

July 2005 & March 2006

''“Semblant de Piece”, '' Directed By Betty Taoutel,

Played at Theatre Monnot and Tournesol, Beirut-Lebanon

Adaptation from:

‘The House of Bernarda Alba’ by Federico García Lorca

‘Waiting for Godot ‘ by Samuel Beckett

‘The Bald Soprano’ by Eugène Ionesco

May 2004 & May 2005

Directed the Talent Show at Rawdah High School, Beirut-Lebanon

May 2005: Journey through the 20th century

Directing scenes for song from the twentieth century compiled and performed chronologically with filmed small scenes to present the songs

May 2004: Star Academy at Rawdah High School

Directing performances by students (singing, dancing and theater)

AFFILIATIONS

Sept 2011

Member in the AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts)

Dec 2008 Member in the Lebanese League for Women in Business

July 2007 Founder Member of the Rotary Beirut Phoenix Club

April 2006 Member in the Lebanese Press Design Syndicate

More info: http://hildos.com/