Born in Beirut, Etel Adnan moved to California in the 1950s, where she developed a distinctive painting practice shaped by her cross-cultural experiences and deep spiritual connection to the natural world. Using a palette knife rather than a brush, she creates intimate, small-scale compositions characterized by rich, geometric fields of color that evoke the landscapes of sunsets, valleys, and mountains. A frequent subject in her work is Mount Tamalpais, a striking peak in Marin County, California. Adnan, who studied philosophy at the Sorbonne in Paris, initially established herself as a poet, academic, and essayist before turning to visual art. Her 2012 presentation at Documenta 13 garnered her significant acclaim, marking a pivotal moment in her artistic career. She has since exhibited in major cities worldwide, including Paris, London, New York, Zurich, Marrakesh, and Los Angeles. Her works are held in prestigious collections such as the British Museum, M+, the Centre Pompidou, the Sharjah Art Museum, the Tate, and the Whitney Museum of American Art. In addition to painting, Adnan has produced drawings, tapestries, films, and ceramics.

Etel Adnan

Lebanese

American

Main

Artist

Printer

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