A large painting has been sprayed in deep red; others feature figures that look like they were made by children, as well as headless ones. One “sculpture” made with shoes, strings and zippers is striking in both its innocence and gloom. These pieces made by artists from Iraq, Lebanon and Syria have one thing in common: They have all been inspired by the wave of terror destroying their nations and reshaping regional borders.

A large canvas hangs on the wall featuring a man, his mustache shaven, and a long black beard. The art piece belongs to a collection created by Lebanese artist Raouf Rifai featuring the local Darwish (Arabic referring to a simple man) and portraying various social archetypes, including the jihadist Darwish. Rifai’s Darwish refers to the Lebanese male stereotype faced with all sorts of situations; one of the artist's acclaimed pieces is the "Darwish Flambeur," the high roller.

“The idea of Darwish is rooted in Islamic and Ottoman cultures,” said Rifai, who adds that events plaguing the region have influenced his sense of perception and his art.