Sulaf Al Ghobari, a 19-year-old Syrian refugee living in Alençon, France, is captivating audiences with her extraordinary hyperrealistic charcoal portraits at the EstivArt gallery. Born in Syria and having arrived in France six years ago, Al Ghobari draws for at least two hours every day, creating stunning artworks that blur the line between drawing and photography. Her meticulous portraits, crafted entirely with charcoal rather than digital tools, can take up to a month to complete.
"When I draw, I'm in another world. I don't see time passing," Al Ghobari confides about her artistic process. Her work is currently featured alongside six other artists with diverse artistic styles at the ephemeral EstivArt gallery during the third fortnight of summer 2025, running until August 16.
Al Ghobari's journey to France began in tragedy. Born in 2005 in Daraa, Syria, she fled her homeland at age seven due to the ongoing war. She spent six years living in Jordan before finally settling in France in 2019. Now residing in the Perseigne neighborhood of Alençon in the Orne department, she has worked hard to integrate into French society, achieving a B2 level in French despite not passing her baccalaureate exam at Lycée Marguerite-de-Navarre.
Currently, Al Ghobari is contemplating two professional paths: becoming a pharmacy assistant or a childcare aide. "In both cases, it's to help others," she explains, reflecting her desire to contribute positively to society. However, one thing remains certain – she will continue to draw regardless of her chosen career path.
Remarkably self-taught, Al Ghobari has never taken formal drawing lessons but enjoys sharing her knowledge with those around her. She works primarily from photographs, most often of faces, which she studies carefully before translating them into hyperrealistic images. "Drawing is the breath of the soul," she summarizes her artistic philosophy. Her technique focuses on black and white charcoal work, with precise and refined strokes that convince viewers through their expressive power.
The turning point in Al Ghobari's artistic journey came during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. "My first charcoal drawing was a revelation: it looked like a real photograph. Since then, it's much more than a pastime – it's a calling," she recalls. This discovery transformed her artistic practice from a hobby into a serious pursuit, leading to participation in multiple competitions and exhibitions.
Through her artwork, Al Ghobari expresses her emotions, personal history, and worldview. "Art is for me a universal language, a space of freedom and resilience. I'm grateful to France, a country that values art and has allowed me to develop my talent," she reflects. Her charcoal portraits explore profoundly human themes including aging, pain, memory, tenderness, inner transformation, and the quest for identity.
"Each face I draw tells a story, each gaze carries an emotion. I draw inspiration from the fragility and strength of human beings," Al Ghobari explains. "My style blends realism and symbolism to invite viewers to feel, to reflect, and sometimes to find themselves in the cracks and silences of my portraits. Through charcoal, I tell my story, between exile, resilience, and passion."
Al Ghobari specializes in portraits, though she accepts commissioned work for various subjects. She has already participated in several competitions and multiplied her exhibition opportunities. Her works can be viewed at EstivArt located at 20 rue aux Sieurs, and she maintains an active presence on Instagram under the handle @sulaf_alghobari.
Despite her evident talent, Al Ghobari doesn't seem to be considering art school to perfect her technique. For now, she's primarily focused on finding employment, securing an apprenticeship contract, or resuming her studies. Regardless of her next steps, she continues to advance one sheet, one pencil, one stroke at a time, using charcoal as both an escape and a source of strength.
The EstivArt exhibition runs until August 16 with free admission. The gallery is open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and on Thursdays and Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Visitors can witness firsthand how this young Syrian artist has transformed personal tragedy into artistic triumph, creating a bridge between cultures through the universal language of art.
