Overview

In his first solo presentation in Jordan, Syrian-Lebanese artist Johnny Semaan transforms Dar Naim’s vaulted rooms into a resonant field of sound, texture, and memory. Fifteen mixed-media works—layering archival newsprint, indigo-dyed linen, and snippets of street chatter—trace the pulse of cities shaped by migration and resilience. Curated in partnership with SUR, the exhibition invites visitors to listen as much as look, turning everyday materials into quiet witnesses of a changing Levant.

About the Artist

Born in Aleppo and working between Beirut and Berlin, Semaan mines personal archives and vernacular ephemera to examine displacement, urban rhythm, and collective remembrance. His practice bridges painting, collage, and sound installation, offering viewers an immersive entry point into the region’s layered histories.

Exhibition Highlights

• Antenna – a three-metre canvas stitched with copper wiring that crackles with recorded market calls.
• Untitled (Horizon) – over-dyed linen maps evoke twilight skies fading into memory.
• Archival listening stations allow you to hear the street broadcasts embedded in each piece.
  SUR’s archive team will be on-site throughout the run to document visitors’ reflections and record Semaan’s studio commentary for future research.

Plan Your Visit

Reserve Your Spot

Spaces for the opening night and guided walk-throughs are limited. Click “Book Your Visit” to RSVP or request a private tour.