Civitanova Marche is preparing to host the first exhibition in Italy by Fares Cachoux, a Franco-Syrian artist who uses graphic art as a powerful tool for reflection on the most pressing issues of our time: politics, society, and the environment.
…Oltre — Beyond — is the title of the exhibition, which will run from August 13 to November 3 at the Spazio Multimediale San Francesco. Curated by Cristina Falco and Enrico Lattanzi, the project is organized by the MAGMA Museum and Cartacanta APS, and will present all of the artist’s most important series in an exhibition journey tracing the key milestones of his career.
Born in Homs, Syria, and later moving to Paris to continue his studies, Fares Cachoux stands out for a minimalist style driven by vibrant colors and sharp lines. His works describe complex events and situations with clear, immediate synthesis — instantly recognizable to any viewer. These are not mere visual representations, but veritable manifestos that shake the conscience, pushing audiences to question the great challenges of the present. Full, luminous, joyful colors are juxtaposed with the dark themes of contemporary life, including the Syrian Revolution. The chromatic richness immediately captures the viewer’s attention, yet it soon becomes clear that this is not merely an aesthetic choice — it is a way of communicating what disturbs and wounds, imposing a direct confrontation. Cachoux’s creations offer no easy answers, but instead spark deep, collective reflection, while also aiming to instill the hope essential for overcoming moments of difficulty and suffering.
“The more I immersed myself in Fares’s artistic world, the more I felt I was entering a universe that reflected humanity itself,” says co-curator Cristina Falco. “He is a free spirit and a deeply committed artist. What strikes me about his work is his open-mindedness and the critical approach with which he addresses the great questions that concern us all: the environment, racism, immigration, conflict, and revolution. He does so without offering answers or exploiting the message; rather, he presents a reality that invites reflection. His artistic practice is founded on a strong sense of responsibility, tackling essential and urgent themes — a shared need, a way of seeking and finding answers to the problems that involve us all. This is what makes his work powerful, contemporary, never intrusive, and above all stimulating.”
The Civitanova Marche retrospective is not merely an aesthetic journey, but a path toward awareness — an invitation to embrace change and accept the challenges of the present, recognizing that personal, cultural, and collective evolution arises precisely from the courage to go beyond, hence the exhibition’s title. Beyond appearances, beyond preconceptions, until reaching the essence of that place where art becomes a bridge, a language, and a universal refuge.
The exhibition unfolds across different themes and environments, following Cachoux’s evolution in a research that weaves together universal questions and others more specifically tied to the Arab world.
EYE to EYE — one of his most famous series — takes its inspiration from the only visible element of a woman concealed behind a niqab: the eyes, transformed into a powerful symbol of individuality and identity. Playful and at times ironic, the series raises deep reflections on the fragile search for balance between tradition and modernity in contemporary Middle Eastern societies. The artist creates a space where these veiled women challenge prejudice and stereotypes, and their complex, fearless personalities show how their essence can emerge and shine beyond the veil.
The Syrian Revolution series consists of minimalist posters narrating the events that unfolded in Syria — from the first demands for freedom to a complex conflict marked by violence. These are true illustrated chronicles that immortalize the protagonists and key moments that, for nearly a decade, shaped the collective memory of the Syrian people.
Polka Dots questions the perception of war, weapons, oppression, and death through disguised images that seem to set a trap for our unconscious. Skulls and hand grenades become brightly colored and covered in polka dot patterns, distorting their conventional representation and raising questions about the relationship between image and meaning.
Queens is a vibrant homage to women and Mother Nature, where femininity and beauty intertwine with the vital forces of the natural world. This work transcends cultural and geographical differences, celebrating women’s resilience and their ability to face and overcome adversity. The female figure — a recurring protagonist in Cachoux’s production — accompanies visitors throughout the entire exhibition, taking on different meanings and roles at each turn.
Complementing these series are the War & Peace room, dedicated to themes of conflict and reconciliation, and a second room reserved for reflections of a universal nature, where works address issues such as tolerance, sexism, and environmental protection — confirming Cachoux’s ability to transform his personal experience into a reflection that speaks to every culture and every viewer.
…Oltre is made possible through the support of MAGMA — Museum Archive of Prints and Posters of Civitanova Marche — which reaffirms its active role in promoting graphic arts in Italy. Following the AMERICANA project, the museum presents for the first time the retrospective of an Arab artist, Fares Cachoux, offering the public an opportunity to engage with this part of the world, its history, and its complexities.
Photo credits: MAGMA – Museo Archivio della Grafica e del Manifesto di Civitanova Marche,
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