Initially a self-taught painter, Fateh Moudarres lived and studied predominantly in Syria, with the exception of a few influential years at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Rome in the late 1950s and the École des Beaux Arts in Paris in the 1970s. Upon returning to Syria, he was lecturer and Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts until 1993. He was internationally renowned as the pioneer of Modernism in Syria. He created a unique style influenced by primitive and ancient Syrian arts and Christian iconography. Moudarres has also written several collections of poetry and short stories. He participated in shows including the Cairo Biennial, Egypt (1994);the Seoul Biennial, Korea(1986); Contemporary Arab Art Exhibition, Grand Palais, Paris (1980); New York International Art Fair, (1964); the Sao Paulo Biennale(Medal of Honour)(1963) and (1975) and the Venice Biennial (1961). A retrospective of his work was held at the L'Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris in 1995. SAF participation: Sharjah Biennial 10