Chawky Frenn


Born in Zahlé, Lebanon, Chawky Frenn lived his formative years in a country of beauty, mysticism and conflict. He witnessed six years of civil war whose devastating images and consequences would powerfully influence his life and work. He moved to the United States in 1981.

In 1985 Frenn received a BFA from Mass College of Art, Boston, MA, and in 1988 he completed his MFA from Tyler School of Art of Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. He spent his second year of graduate studies at Temple Abroad in Rome, Italy. He taught at Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, MA; Montserrat College of Art, Beverly, MA and Edinboro University of PA, Edinboro, PA. He is currently an Assistant Professor at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.

Frenn exhibits extensively, nationally and internationally. He had shows in the US, France, Germany, Lebanon and Paraguay. In 2000-2002, Frenn's first traveling show ECCE HOMO was hosted by Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN; George Mason University in Fairfax, VA; the Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts in New Castle, PA; the Housatonic Museum of Art in Bridgeport, CT; the Erie Art Museum in Erie, PA and St. Paul's School in Concord, NH. He participated in many museum shows; Arnot Art Museum's "Re-presenting Representation" in Elmira, NY is the most recent.

Frenn received numerous awards: Blanche E. Colman Award, Mellon Trust, Boston, MA, in 98; The Stacey Scholarship Award, The National Academy of Western Art, Oklahoma City, OK and The Sheldon Bergh Award USA, Basil H. Alkazzi Award, London, England, both in 93; Gibran Khalil Gibran Foundation Grant, Gibran Khalil Gibran Foundation, Boston, MA in 82, 83 and 84. He was a Finalist in the Teaching Excellence Award in his first year at George Mason in 00-01.

Beside positive reviews and critical acclaim by varied newspapers and magazines including the New York Times, NY ARTS, Art New England and the Boston Globe, a 72-page catalogue documenting Frenn's work has been published to accompany the traveling show ECCE HOMO.

Frenn lives and works in Arlington, VA.