Nael Hanna

Nael Hanna was born in Nineveh, Northern Iraq in 1959. He grew up in a diverse mix of culture - Iraqui, Greek, and Syrian Christian Orthodox. He showed a keen interest in art from an early age, spending much of his childhood studying and drawing animals, birds and people. At just 19 years of age, Nael was drafted into the army to serve in the Iraq-Iran war. He continued to paint whilst in the military and was awarded a scholarship from the Ministry of Education in Baghdad to study art in Britain. He initially studied for a language and foundation art course at Southampton, before being accepted for a degree in Fine Art at Duncan Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee, after which he was offered a residency at the prestigious Hospitalfield in Arbroath. During this time, Nael developed his passion for the east coast of Scotland with its constantly changing weather and light over the dramatic coast lines. After graduating in 1989, Nael travelled to Florence on another fine art scholarship, awarded by The Royal Scottish Academy. On returning to Scotland, he had decided to make this his permanent home, qualifying with a MPhil in Art before becoming a lecturer in the Fine Art Department of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art. Nael now lives and works from his studio in Angus.

Nael's deep love of nature and travel are the primary influences upon his painting today. His distinctive style of painting is instantly recognisable - expressive, near-abstract works with sculpted paint, paying homage to many of his favourite artists including Willem de Kooning, Marc Chagall and Joan Eardley.

Nael is passionate about Scotland's spectacular coastlines with their fishing villages and powerful seas, in particular those in the east close to his Angus home. Through his work, he is driven to capture the rhythms, atmosphere and textures that are so distinctive to the Scottish landscape in his unique palettes. Also, stimulated by flowers he paints them from life, many from the fields and hedgerows surrounding his home, to create vibrant and uplifting compositions that are full of energy.