Marie Khouri

In this episode of DRVN, we delve into the inspiring journey of Marie Khouri—a renowned sculptor who has transformed her personal struggles and life experiences into powerful works of art. From war-torn Lebanon to the artistic landscapes of Vancouver, Marie’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and healing. Her sculptures have become not only a form of expression but also a way to process pain and turn it into something beautiful. In this conversation, we uncover the profound moments that shaped her career, her views on public art, and how she found herself through the medium of clay.

A Global Journey: From Egypt to Canada

Born in Cairo to a Spanish mother and an English-Italian father, Marie’s early life was a journey across continents. At the age of two, when the political landscape shifted in Egypt, her family relocated to Lebanon. Marie fondly remembers her childhood there, but everything changed at the age of 14 when the Lebanese Civil War broke out, and tragedy struck—her father was assassinated. This loss led Marie, her mother, and her brother to flee to Canada with the help of the Red Cross.

Reflecting on her early years, Marie recalls the profound impact that displacement had on her life. “When you’ve gone through that, you can take anything. It turns you into a very resilient person,” she explains. As a teenager arriving in Canada without knowing a word of English, Marie faced the challenge of adapting to a new life in a foreign land. This phase of her journey taught her the importance of resilience, a trait that would later become central to both her personal and artistic identity.

Discovering Sculpture: An Unexpected Path

Before finding her passion in sculpture, Marie had a diverse career path. She studied in France and worked as an interpreter for courthouses and embassies, later joining her husband in developing financial software for banks and traders. But despite her success in these fields, she felt unfulfilled and longed to explore a more creative side of herself.

Marie’s introduction to sculpture came unexpectedly. After taking a painting class for fun, she decided to try sculpting—and everything changed. "When I touched clay for the first time, I realized I had a new way of expressing things I had buried deep inside," she says. What started as a casual pursuit quickly became an emotional and creative outlet for Marie, unlocking a passion she had never known.

Marie describes her first sculpting class, held beneath the Louvre in Paris, as transformative, likening it to a meditative state. "It felt a bit like yoga. I didn’t see the time pass," she recalls. Sculpting became a way for her to release long-held emotions—grief, loss, and the struggles of her past—through her hands. She found that art offered her a language to express what words could not.

Healing Through Art

Marie’s discovery of sculpture was not merely an artistic awakening; it was deeply personal. Through the tactile experience of working with clay, she found a way to process the grief, trauma, and loss that had shaped her life. “We bury loss and sorrow to move forward,” she explains. “But sometimes, they come out, and for me, they came out through those lumps of clay.” Sculpting became her therapy, a space where she could explore her inner world and transform pain into art.

When Marie relocated to Vancouver, the city provided her with a new platform for her work. “Vancouver is what really put me on the rails towards sculpture,” she says. It was here that Marie’s public art career truly began, as she took on larger-scale projects and began to make a name for herself within the local and international art scenes.

Public Art and Vancouver’s Growth

Marie’s approach to public art is rooted in her belief that art has the power to transform not just individuals but entire communities. For her, public art is about more than just creating visually striking pieces—it’s about making a meaningful connection with the space and the people who inhabit it. “Public art has to be meaningful to the place where it’s anchored,” she explains.

One of Marie’s most iconic public works is Let’s Sit and Talk, a piece that speaks to her desire for dialogue and understanding, particularly in the face of global conflict. The piece was born out of Marie’s reflections on the ongoing political unrest in the Middle East and the hope that people might find a way to resolve their differences through conversation rather than violence. “Was there a way for us to sit down and talk instead of carrying weapons?” she asks.

Marie’s work often draws on the architecture and history of the locations where her pieces are installed. Each sculpture is carefully crafted to reflect the unique character of the space, whether it’s a busy urban center or a quiet public park. In doing so, she creates art that becomes an integral part of the environment, enhancing the space and inviting the public to engage with it on a deeper level.

Khouri has been instrumental in shaping the public art landscape of Vancouver. She compares the art culture in Vancouver to that of Europe, seeing Vancouver as a "toddler" in comparison to the maturity of the European art scene. Yet, she sees great potential for the city to grow and leave a lasting cultural legacy. “We need to create a space where art can flourish, and the city can have a true soul,” she says.

Marie also emphasizes the importance of supporting emerging artists and the need for more galleries and opportunities for them to showcase their work. In her view, public art is crucial to building the identity of a city: “Art in a city is the soul of a city,” she explains. “It reflects everything we breathe and everything that surrounds us.”

Returning to Her Roots: A Full Circle Moment in Egypt

One of the most moving parts of Marie’s journey is the upcoming full-circle moment in her career—her exhibition at the foot of the pyramids in Egypt. After 16 successful months of once displaying her piece I Love at the Vancouver Art Gallery, it will now travel to Egypt as part of a prestigious exhibition near the UNESCO site. The sculpture, which features Arabic calligraphy, is deeply personal to Marie, as it reflects her heritage and her journey of self-discovery.

“Taking my work back to Egypt, the place where I was born, is incredibly meaningful to me,” she shares. The piece will be on display for six weeks, after which it will hopefully travel to other notable museums in the Middle East and Europe. For Marie, this moment signifies the completion of a journey that began with her roots in Egypt and has spanned across multiple continents.

For Marie, this exhibition is not just about professional success—it is a homecoming, a way of honoring her roots while celebrating how far she has come. The sculpture’s journey mirrors her own, as it travels from Canada to the Middle East, much like Marie’s own path through life. It’s a powerful reminder that no matter how far we go, our roots remain a part of who we are.

The Power of Vulnerability

Marie’s story is not just one of success, but of vulnerability, resilience, and the courage to embrace life’s hardships. Throughout her career, she has remained open about the struggles she has faced and how those experiences have shaped both her as a person and as an artist.

“I thought my story was my story, and it didn’t interest anyone else,” she admits. But over time, she has realized that sharing her journey—her losses, her hardships, and her resilience—can inspire others. "What I’ve gone through, many other people have gone through. The strength and resilience I’ve had through that path could perhaps help someone else."

In her art, Marie channels not just her personal story, but universal emotions that resonate with anyone who has faced adversity. Her work is a testament to the idea that, through passion and hard work, it is possible to turn life’s challenges into something truly extraordinary.

Looking Ahead

As she looks to the future, Marie remains deeply connected to her work. She continues to push boundaries with new materials and larger-scale projects, always seeking to surprise both herself and her audience. “I like to surprise,” she says. “I’m constantly testing new things. I don’t want people to come back to my work in two years and see the same thing—they should see something completely different.”

Marie’s passion for art and her dedication to her craft serve as a powerful reminder that the most impactful work often comes from a place of deep personal connection. Her sculptures are not just pieces of art; they are stories—stories of survival, strength, and the beauty that can emerge from even the most challenging moments in life.

In the end, Marie’s journey reminds us all of the importance of perseverance, passion, and the power of vulnerability. As she says, “Hard work pays off. You need to have the energy within, and you need to really want to go to the end.”

The Legacy of Marie Khouri 

Marie Khouri’s story is one of resilience, strength, and the transformative power of art. Her sculptures, which blend personal experience with universal themes, have touched the hearts of people around the world. From her early days in Cairo and the trauma of fleeing Lebanon, to her rise as a globally recognized sculptor, Marie’s life has been marked by resilience. Through her art, she has found healing—not just for herself, but for those who experience her work.

Her journey is far from over. As she continues to create, explore, and evolve, Marie Khouri remains a powerful voice in the art world, a testament to the idea that from hardship, beauty can emerge. Her legacy, both as an artist and as a person, will undoubtedly inspire future generations to embrace vulnerability, resilience, and the power of creative expression.

Written by Anne Riesling, Founder of DRVN - The Agency & Podcast.

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