![Nabil Nahas, Untitled, 2023](https://artlogic-res.cloudinary.com/w_1600,h_1600,c_limit,f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto/artlogicstorage/benbrown/images/view/77502939bec320bae5437248c30ca047j/benbrownfinearts-nabil-nahas-untitled-2023.jpg)
Nabil Nahas Lebanese, b. 1949
Untitled, 2023
Acrylic on canvas
152.4 x 152.4 x 15.2 cm; (60 x 60 x 6 in.)
Copyright The Artist
Part of his Fractal series initiated in 2005, Nabil Nahas' Untitled draws on chaos theory, specifically the work of Benoit Mandelbrot, who highlighted the irregularities of the natural world in...
Part of his Fractal series initiated in 2005, Nabil Nahas' Untitled draws on chaos theory, specifically the work of Benoit Mandelbrot, who highlighted the irregularities of the natural world in contrast to the rigid structures of mathematical geometry. This series explores the interplay between order and disorder in the microprocesses of nature, echoing organic forms through his use of vivid colour and textured surfaces. In Untitled, Nahas applied thickly layered encrusted acrylic paint mixed with pumice which imparts a sculptural quality to the work, producing forms that appear to bloom out of the picture plane like living, breathing organisms, his use of contrasting, vibrant colours creating the impression that the forms are undulating and oscillating. The textured surface of Untitled is reminiscent of a seabed with its swirling, eddying forms conjure images of colourful coral and other marine life. This biomorphic marine imagery is further enriched by Nahas’ reference to Islamic visual culture, particularly evident in his use of geometric patterns and bold chromatic qualities. The result is a vibrant and richly ornamented painting that not only reflects the complexity and dynamism of the natural world but also draws on the rich visual traditions of both Islamic and Western art, creating a unique synthesis that is emblematic of Nahas’ broader oeuvre.