Sari Ibrahim Khoury
Encyclopedia
Sari Ibrahim Khoury was an American visual artist originally from Jerusalem. He primarily worked in abstract modes in acrylic, oil and charcoal.
in 1941. Years after becoming a refugee in 1948 and his family's eviction from Jerusalem, he emigrated to the United States to attend school. In a personal statement from 1996, he described the impact the loss of Palestine had on him:
Drawing was a form of therapy and coping for him at an early age.
, KY and subsequently at Central Michigan University
in Mt. Pleasant, MI. He taught painting and drawing for 31 years. His work has been exhibited throughout the United States, Europe and Japan. A major commissioned mural sits at the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services
in Dearborn, MI highlighting the accomplishments and contributions of Arab Americans. In 2008, the Arab American National Museum
opened a major retrospective of his work. Shortly after, Birzeit University
Virtual Gallery also created an online retrospective. Khoury died in 1997 from cancer.
Khoury began teaching at Central Michigan University in the Art Department in 1967. He served as chairperson of the department from 1992-93. On July 21, 2001, the Board of Trustees of Central Michigan University recognized posthumously that Khoury be promoted to professor emeritus rank.
His works have been exhibited in the United States and globally. His exhibition roster includes fifteen solo exhibits, some posthumous, and over forty group exhibits.
at the University of Michigan
. They form part of a historical collection on Arab, Muslim, and Chaldean Americans in Michigan. In 1987, Khoury was commissioned by the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services
(ACCESS) to paint a mural depicting Arab-American life, social, professional and cultural contributions to Michigan. It is housed and displayed in the renovated ACCESS office in Dearborn, MI.
Khoury describes the free-style line both as an independent object and edge of a shape as an important characteristic of his work in the 1990s.
Khoury references the works of modern artists Paul Klee, Ben Nicholson, Arhsile Gorky, and Wasisily Kandinsky as sources of inspiration.
Early life
Sari Ibrahim Khoury was born in Jerusalem, Mandate PalestineMandate Palestine
Mandate Palestine existed while the British Mandate for Palestine, which formally began in September 1923 and terminated in May 1948, was in effect...
in 1941. Years after becoming a refugee in 1948 and his family's eviction from Jerusalem, he emigrated to the United States to attend school. In a personal statement from 1996, he described the impact the loss of Palestine had on him:
Drawing was a form of therapy and coping for him at an early age.
Emigration to the United States
After spending the remainder of his time in Palestine in Bir Zeit, Khoury came to the United States at age 17 on a fine arts scholarship to Ohio Wesleyan University. There, he earned a bachelors of arts and completed his masters of fine arts at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Detroit. He married his wife, Suheila Ghannam, in 1967.Career and Exhibitions
Khoury was also a professor of art first at Berea CollegeBerea College
Berea College is a liberal arts work college in Berea, Kentucky , founded in 1855. Current full-time enrollment is 1,514 students...
, KY and subsequently at Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University is a public research university located in Mount Pleasant in the U.S. state of Michigan...
in Mt. Pleasant, MI. He taught painting and drawing for 31 years. His work has been exhibited throughout the United States, Europe and Japan. A major commissioned mural sits at the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services
Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services
The Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services is a human services organization committed to the development of the Arab American community in all aspects of economic and cultural life. ACCESS helps low-income families, as well as newly arrived immigrants adapt to life in the United...
in Dearborn, MI highlighting the accomplishments and contributions of Arab Americans. In 2008, the Arab American National Museum
Arab American National Museum
The Arab American National Museum , which opened in 2005, is the first museum in the world devoted to Arab American history and culture. Located in Dearborn, Michigan, the Museum seeks to dispel misconceptions about Arab Americans and other minorities....
opened a major retrospective of his work. Shortly after, Birzeit University
Birzeit University
Birzeit University is a university located in Birzeit near Ramallah, Palestinian territories. BZU is among the foremost tertiary educational institutes in the Palestinian territories and has played a significant role in the Palestinian political dialogue.- History :The institution was originally...
Virtual Gallery also created an online retrospective. Khoury died in 1997 from cancer.
Khoury began teaching at Central Michigan University in the Art Department in 1967. He served as chairperson of the department from 1992-93. On July 21, 2001, the Board of Trustees of Central Michigan University recognized posthumously that Khoury be promoted to professor emeritus rank.
His works have been exhibited in the United States and globally. His exhibition roster includes fifteen solo exhibits, some posthumous, and over forty group exhibits.
Public Involvement
Khoury was an active participant in Arab-American life in Michigan. Many of his writings, photos and other archival material are held at the Bentley Historical LibraryBentley Historical Library
The Bentley Historical Library is a historical library located on the University of Michigan's North Campus in Ann Arbor. It was established in 1935 by the regents of the University of Michigan...
at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
. They form part of a historical collection on Arab, Muslim, and Chaldean Americans in Michigan. In 1987, Khoury was commissioned by the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services
Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services
The Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services is a human services organization committed to the development of the Arab American community in all aspects of economic and cultural life. ACCESS helps low-income families, as well as newly arrived immigrants adapt to life in the United...
(ACCESS) to paint a mural depicting Arab-American life, social, professional and cultural contributions to Michigan. It is housed and displayed in the renovated ACCESS office in Dearborn, MI.
Style
The Palestinian artist and historian, Samia Halaby referred to the moment when she first discovered Khoury's works, through personal correspondence:Khoury describes the free-style line both as an independent object and edge of a shape as an important characteristic of his work in the 1990s.
Khoury references the works of modern artists Paul Klee, Ben Nicholson, Arhsile Gorky, and Wasisily Kandinsky as sources of inspiration.