Ashkal Alwan was founded in 1994 by Christine Tohmé (Curator), Marwan Rechmaoui (Artist), Rania Tabbara (Graphic Designer and Interior Designer), Mustapha Yamout (Cultural Events Organizer) and Leila Mroueh (Communications Director).
[1] Ashkal Alwan (in Arabic: forms and colors) was created in the aftermath of the Lebanese war.
It is nowadays an informal and alternative platform that helps a new generation of Lebanese artists to produce and exhibit their artwork.
[2] Building a large network of local and international partner institutions,[3] Ashkal Alwan became a major and influential actor on the regional art scene, exhibiting the work of local and international artists such as Jalal Toufic, Akram Zaatari, Lamia Joreige, Walid Raad, Rabih Mroué and many others.
[4] In 2011, Ashkal Alwan inaugurated the Home Workspace in a former industrial building neighboring Beirut Art Center.