Ibrahim Sultani is a 5th-year architecture student from LAU. He is currently working on a project by which he paints notable Lebanese figures on Lebanese Lira banknotes. Money is literally his canvas.
@paintedbyibrahimSultani is fascinated with portraits. He believes drawing portraits is by far the most challenging drawing job as it deals with every strict proportion and detail.
The artist indicates that when he draws a portrait, people have to recognize the face in a matter of milliseconds. If they take longer, it means he has failed.
The name of his latest concept is “Khalli El Lira Terja’ Tehki” which literally means “Let the Lira speak again” and whatever “speaks” in Arabic means it is of value or importance.
It all started when the artist painted the portrait of Fayrouz on a 1,000LBP bill. He realized that money has become so worthless and obsolete to the point where he’s painting on it!
In fact, Ibrahim aims to send a vital message during the current economic crisis. “By painting Lebanese figures we’re proud of as people, on the Lebanese Lira, the banknote is acquiring back its worth and value”, claims the artist.
Ibrahim’s second message is the universality of art. Art is not only restricted to paper, and creativity is never limited.
Over 20 Lebanese figures got portrayed so far! The artist paints on old and new banknotes. He keeps them safe in frames where he can see them and eventually, an exhibition would take place.
