Manar Mervat Al Shouha

Manar Mervat Al Shouha is a contemporary Syrian painter based in Dublin.  She is currently an artist-in-residence at Temple Bar Gallery + Studios.

Her practice focuses on figurative painting, where expressive line work is central to her approach, creating dynamic compositions. Using mixed media - including oil, acrylic, and charcoal - her work explores human subjects in fluid, layered environments, blending bold colours with spontaneous gestures.

Raised in Damascus, Syria, Manar earned a degree in Fine Art (Painting) from Damascus University. Alongside her artistic practice, she worked as a teaching assistant at the Arab International University in Syria.

She has exhibited her work both in Ireland and internationally, including in Syria, Lebanon, and Dubai. Recent exhibitions include:

-RHA 194th Annual Exhibition, RHA Gallery, Dublin (2024)
-Hennessy Craig Exhibition, RHA Gallery, Dublin (2024)
-Claremorris Gallery, Mayo (2024)
-Cashel Arts Festival, curated by Catherine Marshall, Tipperary (2023)

Manar has received multiple recognitions and awards, including:

-Shortlisted for the second round of the Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award 2025 at the National Portrait Gallery, London

-Shortlisted twice for the prestigious Hennessy Craig Award (2023, 2024)
-Recipient of the De Vere’s Art Award and the Contemporary Irish Art Society Award, RHA (2023)

Manar’s work is in the collection of the Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda and private collections in Damascus, Dubai, Canada, Dublin, and New York.