The Deichtorhallen Hamburg is dedicating a comprehensive retrospective to the fascinating Lebanese artist Huguette Caland (1931–2019), opening up new perspectives on an extraordinary life’s work. Over 300 works will be on display from 24 October 2025 to 26 April 2026 in the exhibition “A Life In A Few Lines” — an impressive journey through five decades of artistic creation, characterised by resistance to social and aesthetic norms and a profound exploration of identity, love and freedom. Caland’s unmistakable line, which she herself describes as the narrative of her eventful life, runs through her paintings, drawings, textiles and sculptures. Particularly poignant are the themes of social and sexual taboos, which she deals with in her works with courage and ironic lightness.
Born in Beirut as the daughter of the first Lebanese president Bechara El-Khoury, Caland decided early on to lead a self-determined life beyond elitist expectations. Her journey took her from Beirut to the American university, then to Paris and finally to California — and on and on, across different cultures and personal border crossings. The current exhibition illuminates not only the many facets of her artistic expression, but also the stories of a life that has consistently unfolded between contrasts and places. The exhibition is complemented by an English-language catalogue with essays by international art experts and a free audio guide that provides an in-depth insight into Huguette Caland’s work and biography.
