Nassim Nasr is a Dubai-based self-taught artist. Born in the North of Lebanon in 1974, his family kept moving from Lebanon to Kuwait and then to the UK. After graduating with a degree in Business Management in 1995, he decided to travel to the UAE in search of a future, and has been here ever since. A specialized artist of minimalism, abstract impressionism and action painting, he was infatuated with art not just for its visual and emotional appeal, but also for the inner release it gave him. His technique involves adding and subtracting multiple layers of non-representational painting, starting with the application of primary color onto canvas using brushes and scrapers.
Q. How did your journey as an artist begin?
A. Both my mother and elder sister are very artistic. So, the art gene runs in the family. I’m self-taught. I started painting at the age of 15 and while all my friends would be playing sports or computer games, I spent my time painting. Painting allowed me to express myself in a way that words never could.
Q. What are the different forms of artworks that you do?
A. During the years, I taught myself to paint by trying to copy all the great artists. I spent a lot of time trying different styles and eventually found myself in abstract expressionism. My preferred medium is acrylic since it’s easier to use for my style of painting. I rarely use a paintbrush and prefer using palette knives to create different textures and effects.
Q. What does your work aim to say?
A. I know that most artists want their work to represent something or to tell a story about something important to them. After the recent explosion in Beirut, I did a painting that expressed my frustration about our situation. In general, my paintings are non-representational and non-objective. I don’t even title them so that I don’t give away anything. It’s purely emotional and I want the viewer to take away from it whatever it makes them feel, be it good or bad. For me, abstract art is completed by the viewer.
Q. What is that one line of quote that you abide by in your life or you would like others to follow?
A. I’m an extremely positive person and it takes a lot to get me down but that’s only because I live by the premise that life is tough. Once you accept that nothing in life is easy, then everything becomes easier to accept.
Q. Please tell us a bit about an artwork of yours that you are immensely proud of?
A. Every painting I make is an experiment or learning experience for me. So, I can’t say that I am immensely proud of any single work that I have done. I paint because it allows me to express myself. It allows me to create. Creating something from ones’ imagination is an immense feeling and I love each of my creations.
Q. How have you been keeping up during the pandemic and what are the new things that you have started?
A. Ironically the pandemic has given me my life back. Even though I lost my corporate job of 25 years back in June 2020, it allowed me to commit myself completely to painting. I get to spend all day at home where my studio is with my wife and kids. I get to do what I love surrounded by those I love, what more can one ask for?
Q. What is that one question that you would have asked yourself and we haven’t yet?
A. I would ask myself who my favorite artist is. I have great respect for all artists but Gerhard Richter is my favorite because he was adventurous in his style of painting. He began with photorealism and eventually arrived at abstract – two styles that are at extreme poles. He is currently the greatest abstract artist alive and his work is so inspiring.
Q. What are the best resources that have helped you in your way?
A. Social media has helped boost my art career in terms of exposure. However, it’s the family and friends that believed in me and supported me. I can’t thank them enough for standing by me. If it wasn’t for them my house would be overrun with paintings but fortunately, my paintings have all found loving homes.
