Born in Lebanon in 1927, Halim Jurdak holds a masters degree in fine arts from “Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts” in Paris and frequented the “Atelier Brianchon pour la peinture”, “Atelier Cami et Bercier pour la gravure”, “Atelier Goetz et l’atelier Brayer à l’Académie de la Grande Chaumière” and “André Lhote” in Paris.
In 1966, he started teaching painting and engraving at the “Institut des Beaux-Arts” at the Lebanese University in Beirut.
He was a member of the association of “Peintres et sculpteurs libanais” in 1959, member of the “Conseil culturel of Metn” in 1966, member of the “Délégation des Artistes Libanais invités à Bagdad pour fonder l’association des artistes plasticiens arabes” in 1973, member of the “Délégation Libanaise du Festival International des Pays Francophones au Québec” in 1974.
In 1974, Jurdak participated at the decoration of the “Mur International” at Quebec, in 1978 he made 18 big plates in copper for big jewellery stores in Qatar upon the request of the architect André Ibrahim and in 1983, he made a model (maquette) for a tapestry at the international airport of King Khaled in Ryad..
His work has been featured in different group shows, Biennales and Salons in Lebanon, Syria, Kuwait, Egypt, France, USA, England, Iraq, Germany, Tunis, Brazil, Poland and Canada and held solo exhibitions in Lebanon and France.
At Galerie Janine Rubeiz, he was part of a group show in 1993 “Pour Janine Rubeiz” and solo exhibitions such as “Dar Al Fan” in 1987, “Le Chaos Sensible” in 1998, and Des Fils et des Formes” in 2005.
He was awarded the following prizes “Premier Prix de gravure de l’Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Paris” in 1961, “Prix de gravure de l’Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Paris” in 1962, “Lauréat du Concours organisé par le Ministère de l’Education Nationale et des Beaux-Arts” Paris in 1963 and “Mention à la biennale d’Alexandrie” in 1969. He was honoured by “The Cultural Movement - Antelias”, in the cadre of “Eminent men of culture in Lebanon” and was offered the shield of the cultural movement in 1997, the Balamand University and granted the Medal of Saints Peter and Paul of the order of big commander by his Beatitude the Patriarch Ignatius the 4th in
2000 and by the “Fine Arts Institute” of the “Lebanese University” as a retired professor of the institute in recognition of his endeavours and accomplishments, and was offered the institute’s shield in 2004.
His work is part of private and public collections such as “Collection of the ministry of culture and fine arts” - UNESCO palace, Beirut, “Collection of the Airport of King Khaled” - (a mural carpet) in the city of Riad , Saudi Arabia, “Collection of the Academie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts”, Beirut, “Institut du Monde Arabe”, Paris, Collection of the “Cultural Council of Matn – North” - Beirut, Collection of the “International College” of the AUB – Beirut and the Collection of the Republican Palace - Beirut.
Jurdak wrote 2 books about his art and creation “تحولات الخط واللون” in 1975 and“عين الرضا” in 1995, both edited by Dar An-Nahar Beirut, and Maqam association published a book about his work “Halim Jurdak A Self Portrait”, 2004.
Jurdak passed away on July 20th, 2020.
