Ocean Swell

Nael Hanna was born in Nineveh, Northern Iraq. As a young man, he served in the Iran – Iraq war. This was before being awarded a scholarship to study art in Britain. Following on from a foundation course in England Nael completed a degree in Fine Art at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee. This was followed by a residency at Hospitalfield in Arbroath where Nael fell in love with the Scottish landscape and coastline. In particular, the drama of the changing weather.

A string of prizes and awards followed, including one from Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) to travel to and study in Florence. After his return Nael completed an MPhil in Art, and went on to lecture in its Fine Art department. Since then, Nael has painted full time, exhibiting throughout the UK and collected worldwide. His distinctive style of painting is instantly recognisable but pays homage to many of his favourite artists. An ecumenical gathering – Willem de Kooning, Marc Chagall and Joan Eardley. Read more here.