Ismaeel
Nasra (b. 1964, Salameyeh) is a Syrian artist who graduated from the Faculty of
Fine Art in 1987 and earned a diploma in fine art in 1989. He taught at the
Adham Ismaeel Institute until 2012.
Nasra has
an extensive international presence, having participated in numerous solo and
joint exhibitions and symposiums both within Syria and abroad, including Iran,
Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar, Italy, Cairo, Oman, and Istanbul. He is also an
award-winning artist , and his artworks are held in significant public
collections worldwide, such as the New Art Museum (KSA), The National Museum
(Syria), Sami Hendieh Museum (Jordan), and the Mohamad ben Rashed Museum
(Dubai).
Ismaeel
Nasra's artworks, predominantly executed in acrylic and oil on canvas, often
feature a captivating blend of figurative representation and atmospheric,
sometimes abstract, backgrounds. His style is characterized by its emotional
depth and thematic focus on human figures, often women, portrayed with a
distinct ethereal or melancholic quality.
Key
aspects of his style include:
Nasra
frequently depicts human figures, particularly faces and full figures. These
figures often have large, expressive eyes that draw the viewer in, conveying a
sense of introspection or unspoken emotion. Birds are a recurring motif,
sometimes appearing to emerge from or interact with the figures or their
surroundings
He
employs a varied color palette, from muted grays and blues that create a somber
or contemplative mood to vibrant reds and oranges that evoke drama and
intensity. Nasra masterfully uses light and shadow to create dramatic effects
and highlight the emotional expressions of his subjects.
The
backgrounds in his paintings often feature abstract textures, washes of color,
or intricate patterns that add depth and complexity to the compositions. These
backgrounds are not merely decorative but contribute to the overall atmosphere
and narrative of the artwork.
Overall,
Ismaeel Nasra's art is a powerful exploration of the human condition, rendered
with a distinctive visual language that combines expressive figuration with
symbolic depth and evocative atmospheric qualities.