JeanClaude Elias Nassief
The Return
Mixed media
“My art is an expression of both personal and impersonal inspiration. I try to find a balance between abstractions while retaining a sense of realism… My latest series of paintings (18 pieces) came about from work that I started about 3 years ago in Saudi Arabia.
“I began this series based on the idea of the concept of return. I started out with the idea of displacement and applied that not only to myself, being in a foreign land, but also the story of so many displaced people, who like myself are always confronted with the idea of return. The question is: A return to what? Some people live for most of their lives in countries that they were not born in with various levels of assimilation into that place while always nurturing a longing to return to their homeland one day. Some do and some don’t, but that idea fascinated me and I wanted to address that from my experience and that of others who found themselves facing this issue of belonging, of identity, of return to something real or imagined.”
Volume 5 Issue 3
Series 4
Mixed media
“The painting Series #4 is one of a series of larger paintings from 2004. The concept of the piece deals with the idea of renewal both materially and spiritually. The image utilises various elements gathered from past works such as the rose, a symbol of nature as well as change and temporality as well as fragility. Various elements of Islamic art and calligraphy complete the visual balance of form and colour.”
a b o u t t h e a r t i s t
JeanClaude Elias Nassief now lives in Saudi Arabia where he teaches and works as a translator. He uses his spare time available to make artwork from inspiration he gets from the environment in which he works as well as ideas inspired by reading and life in general. He has recently begun painting again since 2012. He is presently working on a web site for his work.
a b o u t t h e w o r k
Volume 12 Issue 3 The Return
Mixed media
“My art is an expression of both personal and impersonal inspiration. I try to find a balance between abstractions while retaining a sense of realism… My latest series of paintings (18 pieces) came about from work that I started about 3 years ago in Saudi Arabia.
“I began this series based on the idea of the concept of return. I started out with the idea of displacement and applied that not only to myself, being in a foreign land, but also the story of so many displaced people, who like myself are always confronted with the idea of return. The question is: A return to what? Some people live for most of their lives in countries that they were not born in with various levels of assimilation into that place while always nurturing a longing to return to their homeland one day. Some do and some don’t, but that idea fascinated me and I wanted to address that from my experience and that of others who found themselves facing this issue of belonging, of identity, of return to something real or imagined.”
Series 4
Mixed media
“The painting Series #4 is one of a series of larger paintings from 2004. The concept of the piece deals with the idea of renewal both materially and spiritually. The image utilises various elements gathered from past works such as the rose, a symbol of nature as well as change and temporality as well as fragility. Various elements of Islamic art and calligraphy complete the visual balance of form and colour.”