(1923 - 1988)
Born in 1923 in Jarabulus, Syria, Mahmoud Hammad is a pioneer of modern Syrian art. He studied art at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma between 1953 and 1957. He focused on the art of engraving and especially art medals. After completing his studies, he returned to Damascus in 1960 and taught as a professor at the Fine Arts Faculty of Damascus since its creation. From 1970 until 1980, he became dean at the Fine Arts Faculty of Damascus. In 1939, he started exhibiting his work throughout most Arab countries, Europe and the United States. In 1948, he received first prize in Arts in Damascus Exhibition, in 1957, first prize at the competition of the city of Naples, and 1959, first prize at the competition of Ministry of Culture in the United Arab Republic. In his work, Hammad uses the geometry of elementary forms to express the dynamic spirit of the Arabic letter. Among circles, squares, rectangles, determined by the color, the letter appears with liberty to end a profound silence.