Abdullah Murad was born in Homs, Syria in 1944, he has developed an exceptional painting style that some have described as arabesque abstraction. Considered a pioneer in the abstract school of Arab art, Murad has been captivating audiences with his spontaneous compositions for over thirty years. Having exhibited throughout the region, his works are housed in public and private collections all over the world. The artist's partnership with Ayyam resulted in a 2007 solo exhibition in Damascus that drew viewers from all over the region and was accompanied by a monograph spanning two decades of his oeuvre. Subsequent sales of his paintings in recent Christie's auctions in Dubai have proven highly successful, surpassing estimates and confirming his importance as a continued trendsetter and favorite among collectors. Relying mostly on intuition, Murad is a consummate colourist whose compositions emanate with liberated forms. With a glowing palette that is used to suggest light and dark contrasts, he creates an overwhelming sense of harmony, one that reflects the organic nature of his artistic vision. Shapes are created with brushstrokes that range from conservative markings to vigorous lines that have been unleashed with an explosive force. Demonstrating a masterful command, he often employs other techniques, including collage, as there are no limits to his creative expression. Textures are built up so that the surface of the canvas seemingly leaps out at the viewer, while earthen hues meet warm and cool colors effortlessly. For the artist, the inspiration for his paintings cannot be located in a single moment or thing. Forever evolving, his melodic compositions are extracted from the depths of the subconscious.