Libyan Folk Games as an Artistic Stimulus in Contemporary Painting

Abstract

This study explores Libyan folk games as one of the visual and cultural sources from which artists have drawn themes and artistic concepts in contemporary painting. It is grounded in the significance of these games, which embody social meanings and values closely linked to the collective memory of Libyan society. The study seeks to examine their aesthetic and expressive dimensions and to investigate the potential of incorporating their elements into contemporary artistic works. To achieve these objectives, the research adopts a descriptive-analytical approach while benefiting from the historical method in tracing the cultural background of folk games and their roots within the Libyan environment. The study also includes an analysis of selected works by the artists Awad Abaida and Abdulrazzaq Al-Rayyani, in addition to a number of artworks featured in the exhibition Time for Entertainment. The findings indicate that folk games extend beyond merely documenting an aspect of popular heritage; rather, they constitute an effective visual resource that contributes to the formation of artistic compositions and enriches their expressive and aesthetic content. Furthermore, they play a significant role in reinforcing Libyan cultural identity through the revival of collective memory and its reinterpretation within contemporary artistic visions.