Joseph Basbous

1929 – 2001, Rashana

Born in Rachana, the youngest of three brothers, Joseph Basbous instinctively followed the call of the mallet and chisel, honing his skills since childhood in a family where stone carving came naturally. With remarkable capacity and sensitivity, he initially worked as a stone mason and later assisted his brothers in executing their own artistic endeavors.

In his wood sculptures, Basbous pursued two distinct paths. The first path resembled his stone works, where the closed mass of the sculpture evoked both monumentality and the warmth and intimacy of wood. The second path involved retaining the outer volume of wood trunks while creating inner, moving spaces that interacted with the surrounding environment.

In 1966, Basbous created his first stone sculpture titled "Lames" and was twice awarded the second prize at the Salon d'Automne of the Sursock Museum. His artworks were exhibited alongside his brothers' in numerous exhibitions held in Lebanon, Paris, London, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco. Additionally, he actively participated in events such as the Art Olympiad Symposium in South Korea, the Biennale of Alexandria, the Sculptures Symposium in Aswan, and exhibitions in Switzerland.

 About his Work

Joseph Basbous followed the non-figurative path pioneered by Michel Basbous in Lebanon, working with simplicity and guided by his instincts.

As he began the process of chipping and scraping, removing the soft disintegrated pulp and delving into the core, each tree trunk revealed its unique destiny. Joseph Basbous' wood series emerged from an ongoing dialogue between the sculptor and the block of wood, often an aged, dried, and untouched tree trunk. While working with various types of wood, Basbous had a particular fondness for olive wood. His technique was direct and forceful, resulting in works that emanated from a refined instinct. With increasing experience in carving, Basbous' innate sensitivity to the aesthetic potential of wood flourished. He approached wood trunks with an intuitive sense of form, occasionally merging two pieces to compose intricate compositions. At times, he even left the roots intact, further adding to the organic essence of his creations. Joseph's wood sculptures exhibit a diverse range of shapes, textures, and colors, mirroring the inherent characteristics of the different wood pieces he carefully selected. He only imposed his vision when the wood remained silent, failing to communicate with him.

Although primarily known for his non-figurative works, Basbous also created a remarkable figurative piece—a self-portrait sculpted in clay.

Joseph Basbous

Untitled (Bird), 1973,

Eucalyptus wood, 160 x 85 x 60 cm

Nammour Collection