Lena Kelekian
Personal information
Lena Kelekian
Visual Artist, Iconographer, Muralist, Restorer, Geologist, Environmental designer, Mosaicist, Lecturer, Curator
Contact information (Private)
Contact information (Work)
Lena kelekian - MEADOWS
+961 1 895035
+961 3 895035
Community/Lebanon Impact
- "An internationally renowned multidisciplinary Visual artist, UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, an Environmental designer, Art Therapist, Curator of International Art Exhibitions & Biennales and initiator of mental wellness in the Lebanese hospitals through artworks.President and Founder of MEADOWS NGO and the representative of 5 international NGOs in Lebanon.
- Former university lecturer in Byzantine Art at AUB Winner of the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic Fine Arts Gold Medals for Lebanon, the Torino 2006, Olympic Torch and the recipient of the International Olympic Committee 2014 Olympic Trophy of ‘Art & Sport’ for Lebanon."
Social Media
Education
Education:
- Advanced studies & Diploma in Museum Curatorial studies 2013, post-graduate program, Beijing Art Academy, Beijing, China.
- Doctorate Degree, Fine Arts (with honors), 1995, Greci Marino Academy of Letters, Arts, & Sciences, Italy.
- Higher Studies Diploma, Research and Restoration, 1983 -1992, International Academic Program (IAP), University College London, UK & on site in Italy, Greece, Spain & Portugal.
- Higher Studies Diploma (Diplôme Supérieur), Theology, 1989, Higher Institute for Religious Formation (Institut Supérieur Pour La Formation Religieuse), France.
- Bachelor Degree, Geology, 1981, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
- AUB, ISFR, Advanced studies in iconography & restoration from European universities & in museum curatorial studies from Beijing.
Work history
Previous Professions:
- Art work furnishing and restoration for museums and other private institutions and residences, 2000 - present, CMC affiliated with Johns Hopkins Hospital, Out Patient Clinics, Belle Vue Medical Center (BMC), St. Marc Laboratory, and St. Nicholas Church Museum (Lebanon).
- Owner and Artist, 1992 - present, Kelekian Art Gallery.
- Curator and organizer, 2010, Olympia Fine Arts Association: 1st art exhibition in Sarajevo and Banja Luka.
- Professor, 2008-2009, American Univesity of Beirut.
- Organizer of art therapy workshops, 2006-2008, Femme Art Mediterranée under the aegis of UNESCO in Rhodes and Amman.
- Curator, 2001 - 2003, International Exhibition for Small Format Art (Europe).
- Visual Artist, University Professor, Art Furnishing, Curator, City Embellishment, Fine Arts Restoration, jewelry designer, iconographer, Concept Developer, mosaicist
Major Achievements
Publications (Books, Articles, Reports, etc.):
- "Beirut City of Coexistence"
Major achievements:
- Restoration of the 17th Century Melkite Icons for the St. Nicholas Church Museum in Saida, 2009 - 2011.
- Embellishment Project of the Ain Mreisse Corniche with cut ceramic benches and a large chessboard, 2004 – 2011.
- Winner of 15 Gold Medals, 1992 - 2011.
- Representation of Lebanon at the Beijing International Art Biennale, with the abstract painting titled "Planet Earth, Our Only Home" selected to become part of the permanent collection of the Beijing Contemporary Art Museum, 2010.
- Ceramic Wall and Monument "From Earth to the Heavens" at the Quarantina seaside highway, 2010.
- Representation of Lebanon and the Middle East after being selected in an international competition at the 2008 Beijing Olympics Fine Arts, winning the Gold Medal and the Olympic Torch, Beijing 2008.
- Ceramic Wall with Floral Design for the Beirut riverbank wall, 2004.
Exhibitions, lectures & performances:
- 12 solo exhibitions & 165 collective exhibitions in 45 countries all over the world, 1992 - 2011.
- Art works in permanent display in 14 museums in 14 countries from the Americas to Europe, Middle East to the Far East, 1992 - 2010.
- 20 Private exhibitions & 261 collective exhibitions, biennales, Salons in 62 countries spread all over the continents
Collaborations and Partnerships:
- Venice Biennale
- Anna Lindt Foundation
- Peace Nobel Prize Laureats Art Exhibition 2015 Bcn
- Beijing Biennal
- Asian Biennal
- Cetyc Uni. Mexico
- Louvre-Societe Des Beaux Arts
Inventions and Patents:
- Artworks in 35 museums - permanenet collection- in 5 continents.
Fellowships:
- The “Most Famous Artist Couple in the Middle East” title selected for the cover page and full article by the Business Life magazine.
Others:
- Collectors of her artworks are Queen Sophia of Spain
- Prince Nahyan Moubarak Al Nahyan
- Head of State
- Patriarchs
- Celebrities etc.
Accomplishments
Diplomas:
- 22 Diplomas from Asia, Europe & Americas
Certificates:
- 48 Certificates from Asia, Europe & Americas.
Distinctions:
- Received the title of ‘Knight of the Order’ for her contributions to sciences and arts in this epoch, Verbano, Italy, 1996.
- Honored by the Silver Cross for the “Merite et Devouement Francais”, France, 1996.
- Received the honorary title of ‘Artiste de la Communaute Europeenne’ for her creations, EU, 1996.
- Received the title of “Createur d’Aujourd’hui” for her contribution to the artistic heritage of her epoch from the “Federation Nationale de la Culture Française” [National Federation of French Culture], France, 1995.
- Received the honorary title ‘Lady’ and ‘Academician’ from the Accademia Internazionale da Scienze lettere e Arte, Verbano [International Academy for Letters, Arts, and Science, Verbano], Italy, for rediscovering 89 natural pigments for painting icons and contributing to arts and sciences, 1995.
- Received the title of “La Toile d’Or” in fine arts from the National Federation of French Culture (FNCF), for preserving the artistic heritage of her epoch, France, 1994.
- 28 Distinctions & 19 Gold Medals from Europe and Asia - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Trophy for ‘Arts & Sports 2014’ for Lebanon, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Awards:
- Gold Medal of North Art Space, Jakarta, Indonesia, 2011.
- Gold Medal of Banja Luka City, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2010.
- Beijing Olympic Fine Arts Gold Medal & Olympic Torch, from the Beijing Olympic Committee, for the abstract painting entitled “Planet Earth in the 21st Century,” selected to represent Lebanon and the Middle East at the Beijing Olympics, China, 2008.
- 1st Prize Winner of the "Joudraniyat Tunnel Sassine" Competition, Ashrafieh, Beirut, 1997.
- 2 Gold Medals in Olympics Fine Arts 2008 Beijing & 2012 London Olympics; 2012 Gold Trophy of the Watercube Olympics.
- S. Korea Jeolabukdo Medal.
- Key of the City of Phitsanulok, Thailand.
- Medaille d’Or de Prestige.
- Federation National de La Culture Française, France.
- ‘Createur d’Aujourd’hui’ for contributions to the artistic heritage of her time from the Federation National de La Culture Française.
- La Toile d’Or - Federation National de La Culture Française, France.
Competences & Skills
Field(s) of Expertise:
- Visual Arts / Iconography.
- Restoration of icons, murals, oil painting, academic qualifications, glass and artifacts.
- Arts.
- Geology and Mineralogy.
- Environmental Design / Urban Beautification.
- Art Therapy.
- Curator of International Art Exhibitions
Languages:
- English
- Arabic
- Armenian
- French
- Italian
- Greek