Woman Selling Figs 

Louay Kayyali made this painting of a woman selling figs, using what appears to be pencil and gouache on board. The choice of materials here is interesting. Unlike traditional canvas, the rough texture of the board is visible beneath the paint, giving the work a grounded, almost humble quality. It makes you consider how Kayyali deliberately chose to move away from the smooth, refined surfaces often associated with fine art. The simple lines and earthy tones create a sense of everyday life, reminiscent of the social realism movement. The way Kayyali has rendered the woman’s hands, strong and capable from labor, and the overflowing basket of figs, suggests both the abundance and the hard work involved in bringing produce to market. It is a scene of labor, embedded in the economic realities of Syria. Looking at this image, we can see how materials and making are central to the meaning of the artwork.