"Backbone" is a multidisciplinary exhibition by Lebanese artist Mazen Khaddaj. The show is a collection of video performances, multichannel installations, and documentation that signifies the relationship with his father, and his death in December 2020.⁣ After a long and heavy battle with COVID19, his dad surrendered and left him at the age of sixty-three. His passing was like an earthquake that shook Mazen's reality and left him broken.

"How could I have told my dad who I was? I already looked different, I wore tight clothes and had non-traditional artistic hobbies. I was soft and sensitive and kept my sexuality hidden in a tightly sealed closet. Melhem always associated my lifestyle and looks with an artist's way of life. He was not interested in my art, but he cared about me and supported me financially in my endeavors" - Mazen about his father.

"Backbone" is an explosion of grief and other unprocessed emotions stemming from Mazen´s childhood into his adult years. With this show, he opens his world and depicts the story of a gay Arab boy and his conservative father. The exhibition is in memory of his beloved dad, Melhem Khaddaj.

About the artist:

Mazen Khaddaj (b. 1985) is a multidisciplinary Lebanese artist working in painting, performance, video art, and installation. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design from the American University of Science and Technology in Beirut in 2008. His background includes working as an Art Director in multinational advertising companies for several years before eventually dedicating himself fully to the arts.

Mazen Khaddaj is currently living in Berlin, Germany, where he is practicing his art. He still has strong ties to the Middle East and continues to engage in artistic activities there.