Background
Kayali was born in Aleppo, Syria in January 21, 1934.
He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome in 1961.
Kayali was born in Aleppo, Syria in January 21, 1934.
He studied art in the Accademia di Belle Arti after having studied at the Al-Tajhiz School where his work was first exhibited in 1952.
He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome in 1961.
Kayyali began his career in Aleppo, exhibiting academic portraits and still life paintings locally. After completing his studies in 1961, Kayyali settled in Damascus and joined the faculty at the new College of Fine Arts. For a period of five years, he exhibited his portrait types, flowers, and architectural landscapes - rendered in simple lines and color stains on pressed chipboard - regularly, to acclaim from collectors. From 1965 onward, Kayyali began to struggle with mental illness. In this later period, he turned to more overtly politicized themes, including a series of dramatic charcoal drawings of citizens under siege, which was sponsored by the Syrian government as a touring exhibition in support of the Arab liberation cause. He also continued to produce paintings of fishermen, street sellers, and mothers as representations of the social themes then preoccupying him.
He died in 1978 from burns incurred from his bed catching fire, reportedly from a cigarette.
Maaloula
Maaloula
The Mother
Sleeping Boy
Fisherman in Arwad
Seated Old Man
Boy In Red Jacket
Maaloula
Mother and Child
The Laundrette
The Bread Maker
Seated Boy
Motherhood
Boats on the Beach
Portrait of a Lady
Woman Selling Figs
The Ice Cream Seller
The Socks Seller
Fisherman Smoking A Cigarette
The Bead Seller
Irises
Maaloula
The Flute Seller