General Edward Spears is a central character in the
drive for Lebanese Independence, but certainly not the only one. Some of the main
players include Lady Spears (Mary Borden), May Arida, General De Gaulle,
General Catroux, Riad El-Solh, Zelpha Chamoun, Asmahan, Churchill and several more
who will be introduced in the talk.
With an emphasis on “A History”, and not “The
History”, the lecture is as much about the way history is and can only be
perceived through a subjective lens from a particular moment in time.
The talk will cover a variety of topics covering the
relationship between Sir Edward Spears and the rise of Lebanese Independence. Who
were the main players in the Declaration of Lebanese Independence in 1943? Why
were they mavericks and misfits?
Tom Young is a full-time artist, based between Lebanon and the UK. Beirut has
been his principal home for the past 16 years, where he maintains a studio and gallery.
Influenced by an architectural training, he delves into urban memory, depicting multi-layered
architecture and natural spaces. He fuses historical narratives with responses to the present
moment, channeling the energy of raw emotion and political change.
He often exhibits his work as site specific installations in previously
abandoned or damaged places as a way to breathe new life into them. Such projects include Villa
Paradiso (2013-17), The Rose House (2014-15), Al Zaher/Dar Al Aytam (2016-17), Beit Boustani
(2017-18), the Grand Hotel Sofar (2018-19), Rayak Train Factory (2019), Beit Beirut (2022),
and the current ongoing exhibition at Hammam Al Jadeed, Saida (2020-25).
Young combines a painting practice with film-making, archival research,
architectural conservation and art therapy for children. He feels that art can play a role in
the creative transformation of trauma, and contribute positively to wider society. He
lectures to students at schools and universities, and has collaborated with children through several
orphanage, refugee and cancer treatment institutions in Lebanon.
Young was born in England in 1973. He studied Fine Art at Norwich School of Art, UK BA (Honours) in Architecture at Newcastle University UK and Istanbul Technical
University He has painted and exhibited across Europe, America, Africa and Asia. His work is in numerous prestigious private collections around the world,
including: The President of Lebanon, General Joseph Aoun Philippe Jabr Collection, Beirut Sursock Palace, Beirut Former Prime Minister of Lebanon Tammam Salam Royal Court of Oman collection Frick family private collection, New York Mellon Bank, USA Former Director of Christie’s Old Masters Department, New York Olympic Committee Media Collection, Madrid St Paul’s Cathedral Foundation, London
