Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Google Doodle celebrates Lebanese-American visionary Etel Adnan

Etel Adnan’s later work often featured Arabic calligraphy, inspired by her time copying words from an Arabic grammar.

Google Doodle celebrates Lebanese-American visionary Etel Adnan

Etel Adnan, a pioneering Lebanese-American poet, essayist, and visual artist, was a creative force whose work transcended cultural and artistic boundaries. Born in 1925 in Beirut, Lebanon, Adnan's diverse heritage influenced her unique artistic style.

Adnan's father, Assaf Kadri, was a Sunni Muslim-Turkish high-ranking Ottoman officer of Albanian descent, while her mother, Rose "Lily" Lacorte, was a Greek Orthodox woman from Smyrna. Adnan's upbringing in a multicultural family laid the foundation for her later works, which would integrate elements of her rich heritage and varied life experiences.


Adnan's early education in French convent schools and subsequent studies in philosophy at the University of Paris introduced her to a broad range of artistic and intellectual influences. She continued her academic journey in the United States, studying at the University of California, Berkeley, and Harvard University, before settling into a teaching career at the Dominican University of California in San Rafael.

etel adnan artist 1 scaled The Weight of the World, Installation view at the Serpentine Gallery on June 1, 2016 in London, England, by Etel Adnan (Photo credit: Getty Images)

In an interview, when asked about how busy she is, she replied, "Never in my life have I said that I was busy. When something is asked of me, I’m available. It’s a quality of my character, not an effort."

While Adnan's literary accomplishments are significant, her visual art stands out for its vivid colours and innovative use of media. Her work often focused on abstract compositions and landscapes, characterised by bold strokes and an emphasis on the "immediate beauty of colour."

Adnan's early abstract paintings were crafted using a palette knife to apply oil paint directly from the tube onto the canvas. Her later work often featured Arabic calligraphy, inspired by her time copying words from an Arabic grammar.

Adnan's creativity was not limited to painting; she explored other media such as tapestries, films, and artist's books. Her artistic journey saw her works exhibited across the globe, including notable exhibitions at documenta 13 in Germany in 2012 and the Whitney Biennial in 2014.

etel adnan artist 2 scaled The Weight of the World installation at the Serpentine Gallery on June 1, 2016 in London, England by Etel Adnan. (Photo credit: Getty Images)

Her career included prestigious accolades such as her inclusion in Making Space: Women Artists and Postwar Abstraction at MoMA in 2017 and a retrospective at MASS MoCA in 2018. Adnan's multifaceted talents were further recognised with a 2020 Griffin Poetry Prize for her book Time.

When asked about her inspiration, "In the room in which I first painted, in the philosophy of art department of an American university at which I was teaching, there were canvases, paper, brushes, knives. When I picked up a sheet of paper—not a canvas—the head of the department gave me tubes of coloured paint, little tubes that had been left lying on the ground. Right away I found what’s known as a palette knife—a painter’s knife, not a kitchen knife—and I think the object itself, by its nature, allows you to make only flat shapes. So, I didn’t start painting with a brush. I really began with this knife, and it has remained my instrument," she said.

Etel Adnan passed away in Paris on November 14, 2021, at the age of 96. Her enduring legacy as a multidimensional artist continues to inspire future generations. Through her vibrant visual art and evocative literary works, Adnan's voice and vision remain a testament to her creative brilliance.

Today, Google doodle represents her artwork, on her birth anniversary, a tribute to her contribution to the world of art.

More For You

Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra says she wants strong roles not just ornamental characters

Getty Images

Priyanka Chopra says she is just getting started in Hollywood with 'Heads of State' on Prime Video

Quick highlights:

  • Priyanka Chopra Jonas says she’s just getting started in Hollywood.
  • Stars as a fierce MI6 agent alongside Idris Elba and John Cena.
  • Gets into serious action mode with explosions, helicopters, and hand-to-hand combat.
  • Says her journey is still evolving, with much more to explore in the West.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas may have ruled Bollywood for over two decades, but the global star believes she’s still “nascent” in her Hollywood journey, and that’s what makes it exciting.

The Quantico and Citadel actor stars in the new Amazon Prime Video film Heads of State, playing a sharp MI6 agent named Noel Bisset. Her character has a complicated history with British Prime Minister Sam Clarke (played by Idris Elba) and is tasked with protecting him and the newly elected US President Will Derringer (John Cena) when they're attacked before a major NATO conference.

Keep ReadingShow less
Arijit Singh

Arijit Singh becomes most followed musician on Spotify

Getty Images

Arijit Singh overtakes Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran to become most followed artist on Spotify

Quick highlights:

• Arijit Singh makes global music history with 151 million Spotify followers

• Surpasses Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran in follower count

Keep ReadingShow less
Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Diwali

This year’s Diwali event will still see Belgrave Road continue to host what is left of the festival. (Representational image)

Major changes announced for Leicester’s Diwali celebrations amid safety fears

LDRS

THIS year’s annual Diwali celebrations will be stripped back amid public safety fears. Leicester City Council has said there will be no fireworks or stage entertainment as part of major changes announced for the event.

Cossington Street Recreation Ground will also not be used for the festivities, the council has revealed. The green space previously was the location for the main stage and the Diwali Village with its food stalls, funfair rides, fashion and arts. The annual fire garden display was also based there, offering “a peaceful oasis amid the festive excitement”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Liam Gallagher

Liam Gallagher arrives for the special screening of Oasis documentary "Supersonic"

Getty Images

Liam Gallagher apologises for racial slur after backlash as Oasis reunion tour kicks off

Quick highlights:

  • Liam Gallagher issued an apology after using a racial slur in a now-deleted social media post.
  • The offensive post appeared just days before Oasis kicked off their reunion tour in Cardiff.
  • Fans criticised the singer on X, prompting him to clarify it was unintentional.
  • Oasis will perform over 40 shows globally, starting 5 July in Wales.

Liam Gallagher has apologised for using a racial slur in a post on X, as Oasis reunites for their first tour in 15 years. The singer shared a one-word reply on Monday that included a derogatory term aimed at East Asian people. Though he quickly deleted it, screenshots circulated online, sparking widespread criticism.

In a follow-up post on Tuesday, Gallagher wrote: “Sorry if I offended anyone with my tweet before it wasn’t intentional you know I love you all and I do not discriminate. Peace and love LG x.”

Keep ReadingShow less