To support those affected by the Beirut explosion, the Lebanese painter Jinan Reda displayed a set of her paintings at auction under the title "Jinan Rida Art". The exhibition continued until September 2, 2020, and he will donate the proceeds to the "Teach a Child" Association (Teach a Child) and the Lebanese Red Cross.
Jinan is a well-known figure on social media, and she is a medical doctor at the American University, and a partner in a store located in Beirut's markets, which was completely destroyed during the huge explosion that occurred on August 4.
From under the ashes
The painting "Under Construction" talks about the phoenix rising from the ashes. Dr. Reda was greatly affected by the calamity that Beirut was subjected to, and she felt a responsibility towards her people, so she decided to help through her artworks which she presented at a public auction, where she was sold. A painting from under the ashes with a value of $ 8 thousand, this painting was distinguished from others in that it talks about Beirut, which resembles a phoenix that rises from under the ashes, and another painting was sold at auction, and the profits were distributed to the flag of children and the Lebanese Red Cross.
Reda explains that this is her first exhibition, as it is also titled "She Can", and is distinguished by the fact that all of its proceeds will be donated to the Children's Science Association and the Lebanese Red Cross, and this is her pride.
The painting "From Under the Ashes" by Jinan, sold for $ 8 thousand, talks about Beirut, which looks like a phoenix rising from under the ashes (Al-Jazeera)
Jinan Humanity Initiative
According to Reda, that humanitarian initiative that she was encouraged to undertake, and intended to choose the "Teach a Child" association;
Because it guarantees the access of every child in Lebanon to an education, and this association supports students from poor families all over the country, at the primary and secondary levels, in vocational institutions and universities, by covering registration fees, stationery, school uniforms, books and transportation costs.
In addition to the Red Cross, which is known for providing voluntary relief to serve the community, it does not seek to achieve any material profit in terms of the sacrifices it makes in order to preserve the safety of the Lebanese.
In the humanitarian initiative that Jinan was encouraged to undertake, the "Teach a Child" association chose to ensure that every child in Lebanon has an education (Al-Jazeera)
Expressing women's struggle
Jinan recalls that in her spare time she used to highlight her watercolors, research painting techniques, tour museums and galleries, and soon developed her own abstract style mainly with an emphasis on distorted reality.
She began to paint her life as she saw it, her strong moods and feelings, and her contrasting surroundings;
Which made her more productive, and she decided to use her passion for art to express the struggle of women in the Middle East, and to express her feelings towards Beirut. She wants to present through her paintings the values that she truly believes in.
Including feminism, love, identity, happiness and belonging to the homeland.
Among the works of the artist, Dr. Jinan Reda, who embodies the catastrophe experienced by Beirut due to the explosion of the port (Al-Jazeera)
Defying and not giving up
Jinan recalls that she returned to her homeland as a teenager, and continued her studies, and in 2002 she graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at the American University;
But in her depths was her passion for the world of art, painting and life, so she decided to turn to the world of fashion and beauty as a fashionista.
She established her own store in cooperation with her family to fulfill part of her dreams and hobbies.
But it was completely destroyed during the explosion of Beirut with regret, despite the fact that it defied all circumstances, and did not give in to despair and grief, but resorted to the help of the affected Lebanese families from the explosion of Beirut through her art, and presented all her drawings in a public auction to return the proceeds to the associations.
Beirut is present with all the paintings of the artist, Dr. Jinan Reda, which she auctioned off for Lebanese associations (Al Jazeera)
Beirut will remain vibrant
Beirut, in its view, will remain vibrant and hopeful, and will rise from under the rubble to return the bride of the Middle East, and will not be broken, but will remain steadfast in the face of all difficulties, like the thousands of Lebanese who have witnessed wars and crises and endured chaos and displacement;
But they are steadfast and will continue their journey to make Beirut rise again, says Jinan.