Marwan W. Nahlé lives in the neighborhood. And what a pleasure to walk from our home to his on a sun filled day. Studio tours are always better on foot, the way art works its magic best in person.
Not all art is truly alive. Because not all artists are potent enough to pray prana through the brush, and breathe something into existence, a life of its own. It is with reverence that we have invited Marwan’s works into our cityhome space for an upstairs pop-up. April 25th 6:00-8:00pm. Join us for a handful of small pieces selected to showcase the power of soul in living works of art.
I asked Marwan a few questions. The paintings speak for themselves, but Marwan's voice is more than worth hearing too. Listen quietly, and read slowly. There is more than paint on these boards, and more than words in these answers.
You have been making art since you were a young child. Why? It came to me naturally as I was born into an artist family both my mother (sculpting) and father (painter) were active so by the age of five somehow I found myself drawn into their studio and often found under my dad’s painting table playing and exploring with different art materials
And you are still making art all these years later. How is the work the same and how is it different? As in, what is the golden thread that has strung all this work together over a lifetime? And any departures from that through-line? It is the same in a way of loving the process of creating new forms and shapes of art especially when moved to do so, as if am channeling it from an invisible yet felt source and it is different due to experiences gained from being actively engaged in the process of creativity and traveling to new places observing and exploring other cultures, each one has had a massive impact on feeding my creativity that led to exploring with new and different mediums
I see a deep light emanating from within your work. What are you expressing? A gift that I inherited from my parents was the act of constantly creating art in a war torn country is the most vital element in shining lights of hope or positiveness in a total and uncertain darkness
Your pieces, for some reason, especially these small works, feel like poetry in paint. What is the acrylics' message in word form? Sometimes an art piece unfolds into a specific message that reaches a specific observer in the right place and time
For the right observer, there is a chance for a real catharsis to occur between the canvas and the viewer. What do you hope happens in the space between the two? As I had participated in many art shows experiences in the past and learned from observation that often all it takes is a sort of spiritual connection exchanged between the observer and the art piece, and that is what I hope to see happening simply a deep connection
You have lived all over the world. Tell us what you have loved about Salt Lake as home. Salt Lake has giving me my family my wife and my three children, and has impacted and enriched my artistic career enormously through its culture and beautiful landscapes
Most importantly, you have family in Lebanon. How are they? Yes I have my mother, my sister and my friends, most of us have been raised during the war and have found ways to adjust and adopt to most life endangering situations, it seems to me that when we depart from this life time war will still be on, but as for now they are safe
There is an ancient mystical teaching that all the colors of creation are contained in the morning sun. And that we are that creation.
And so are each of these works.
Marwan, to you, your mother, her land, sister, friends, and all beings everywhere, may all be safe and protected, healthy, happy, and free.
Join us for a one night show of ten small works by Marwan W. Nahlé.
