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Artist Statement


As an individual and an artist, I am passionate about justice and equality, and these themes inspire much of my work. Syrian-born and American-bred, I draw deeply upon Middle Eastern and American cultures and explore both the beauty and the imperfection of those worlds.

 

I have always been proud of the richness of my hereditary culture, and I incorporate those qualities in my work. Much of my work features Middle Eastern and Mediterranean design motifs. In my older work, the designs were meticulously rendered, symbolizing the beauty of my ancestral culture and also that culture's stiffness and conformity. In my newer work, the motifs are still present, but rendered in a looser, more abstract form, representing my personal and artistic freedom from the rules and expectations that permeate the Middle East.

 

My passionate pursuit of personal truth and my often-controversial artistic focus on justice, equality, and freedom stems from my childhood in Syria and my adult struggle as a gay man coming to terms with a devoutly Christian upbringing. The conflict between self-realization and socio-religious restrictions exists in all my work, from my initial series that examines the plight of Middle Eastern women living behind veil, to my American Landscape series that explores the inequalities experienced by gays in America, to my current project which invites Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike to come together in a cooperative creative reflection about 9/11.

 

I often use vivid colors as a constant reminder of the beauty that surrounds us, not only what we see with our eyes but what we feel with our heart, mind and soul. One of my favorite techniques is to take a color that represents a specific emotion and use that color to a contradictory effect. I want the art to evoke questions in the viewer's mind, but also to offer hope, the light at the end of the tunnel, if you will.

 

I typically work in a series, and while the subjects and sometimes the style of those series may differ, there is continuity in the bold colors, textures, patterns and composition that define my work. Combining or recombining these elements in new ways keeps my creativity flowing and my paintings fresh.

 

Biography: Nabil Mousa


Few artists could ever have the unique, professional trajectory of Atlanta artist and entrepreneur, Nabil Mousa. A native of Syria, who arrived in the United States in 1978, Mousa quickly learned English, finished his education, and started a string of successful new businesses at the age of 21. His professional career includes residential construction and real estate development.


In the late 1990s, Mousa decided to listen to a creative inner drive, and explored his lifelong passion for art. He studied Fine Arts at the University of Tennessee, and set a goal to become a practicing artist even as he pursued his business endeavors. "I realized clearly the direction I needed to follow, and I'm still amazed at how fulfilled my life has become since then," he observes. As he worked to develop his distinctive artistic style, he tapped into a wellspring of inspiration from his cultural heritage. For some of his works, Mousa blends the traditions of Middle Eastern motifs with contemporary designs, using strong color, texture and unique composition. He also discovered that his paintings are an expression of his deep feelings for justice and civil rights. As a result, many of his works are often political, educational, thought-provoking and even controversial. "I want to make a statement and a difference with my art. I believe that it is my responsibility as an artist to speak through my paintings," he comments.


Atlanta resident Mousa is now a full-time artist. He is currently working on two major, large-scale painting series: one dealing with civil rights and another serving as a memorial to those lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks and to the fallen soldiers and innocent civilian victims of the Iraqi war. His numerous solo shows and exhibitions have been well-received, with a local magazine cover to his credit. His paintings already hang in various private collections in New York, Atlanta, Chicago and California, as well as in public areas of corporate offices.
 

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President of GLAAD, Neil Giuliano and Nabil Mousa featured at prior show:
"Diversity and Equality"