Othman Moussa
Biography
Born in Zabadani, Syria, a rural town on the outskirts of Damascus, in 1974, Othman Moussa has emerged as one of the Middle East's most talented young Hyperrealists despite economic hardship. Although nurturing his love for art with alternative formal training due to the demands of a grueling schedule that included 12 hour days at a family business, Moussa's unwavering resolve and artistic prowess led him to a successful partnership with Ayyam shortly after entering its "Shabab competition" for emerging artists in 2007.
A graduate of the Adham Ismail Centre for Plastic Arts and the Walid Izzat Institute for Sculpture in 2000, he began his artistic career by entering group exhibitions in Syria, including three consecutive years of the annual Youth Salon in Damascus. Holding his own among some of the region's greats, he made his official debut with Ayyam alongside distinguished painter and art critic Assad Arabi in "Visual Dialogue," a two-person exhibit in 2009. The creative exchange that occurred between Moussa and Arabi not only had the local art scene abuzz, it demonstrated the range and mastery of half a century of Syrian art. It is with this impressive start that Moussa is delving into the regional art scene.
An accomplished draftsman, he creates still life compositions in the tradition of 17th century Dutch painting, which used a meticulously executed realism to extract the poetic essence of everyday objects. Although matching their artistic aptitude, Moussa's technique is thoroughly contemporary. The artist's choice of subject matter—a lit cigarette, a Syrian clay pot or evil-eye ornaments—are in-line with the hybrid approaches that have been employed by artists in the post-colonial era who seek to assert their identity while traversing international styles. His are the quite moments of Syrian society that often are overlooked, the subtle yet profound beauty that exists away from the busy existence of modern day life.
Artist Exhibitions
Visual Dialogue 7 Mar - 25 , 2009View Exhibition
Artist Publications
Visual Dialogue, Asaad ARABI & Othman MOUSSAView Publication
Selected Works
OMU5 Othman MOUSSA 'Untitled' 130 X 120 cm. Oil on Canvas 2007. LOCATION: BEIRUT
OMU16 Othman MOUSSA 'Pan' 100 X 85 cm. Oil on Canvas 2008. LOCATION: BEIRUT
OMU18 Othman MOUSSA 'Untitled' 73 X 92 cm. Oil on Canvas 2008. LOCATION: BEIRUT
OMU3 Othman MOUSSA 'Untitled' 130 X 120 cm. Oil on Canvas 2007 LOCATION: DAMASCUS
OMU7 Othman MOUSSA 'Untitled' 100 X 80 cm. Oil on Canvas 2008 LOCATION: DAMASCUS
OMU10 Othman MOUSSA 'Untitled' 120 X 100 cm. Oil on Canvas 2008 LOCATION: DAMASCUS
OMU12 Othman MOUSSA 'Untitled' 100 X 80 cm. Oil on Canvas 2008 LOCATION: DAMASCUS