CUBAN HEELS

Tom Young is a full-time artist from England, based in Beirut since 2009. He has painted and exhibited in the Middle East, India, America and Europe. Through painting, he explores themes of absence, transience, memory and transformation. He combines his painting practice with architectural activism – transforming abandoned old buildings into living centers of creativity. He believes that art can help reinvent the city, whilst protecting heritage and creating public cultural spaces. Having helped to renovate Villa Paradiso in Gemmayzeh in 2013 for his exhibition "Carousel", he opened up "The Rose House" in Manara, Ras Beirut for the first time in its 133-year history for a three-month exhibition from 2014-15.