Hassan Zakaria

Hassan Zakaria in his studio
Hassan Zakaria in the studio

Art is not a realization or impression, art is as complex as our complex expressions.

Artist statement

The paintings explore the oldest stories we have, the fruit, the flood, the birth of a goddess, and put them back into paint, where they started. Not as illustrations but as the record of what people are like when they choose, when they lose, and when they try again.

The work is built in layers of mixed media on canvas, worked back into while still wet, so the surface keeps the trace of what was changed. Each painting is a single original.

Before the war the subject was land. Since Stavanger, it is myth: Greek, Egyptian, Norse. Love, loss, transformation, and the search for meaning that does not finish.

Bio

Hassan Zakaria trained at the Homs Fine Art Center under Subhi Shuaib. His work sits inside the contemporary Syrian art movement that pushed against political repression toward something more open and more humane.

Before the war he showed in exhibitions and workshops across Syria, including the Syrian-Scandinavian workshop at Palmira in 2005. He moved to Abu Dhabi in 2008 and exhibited at the city's art and culture centre, building an abstract impressionist style out of remembered Syrian landscape.

In 2012 he moved to Narvik, above the Arctic Circle. His first solo exhibition followed there in 2014, Syria in Colours, about a generation's hopes and what the war did to them. The same year he showed Window to the Memory in Barcelona. Travel through Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and France kept shifting the work.

Since settling in Stavanger in 2018 the subject has turned inward. Less war, more myth. Solo exhibitions and group shows across Norway and Europe.

The Forbidden Fruit keeps returning. Temptation, desire, and the cost of choosing, which is the same tension the myths themselves run on. In the paintings it is the moment a life turns and cannot turn back.

The route here

  1. 2003
    Homs, Syria
    Academic training at the Homs Fine Art Center under Subhi Shuaib.
  2. 2005
    Palmira, Syria
    The Syrian-Scandinavian art workshop. The first meeting with the north.
  3. 2008
    Abu Dhabi, UAE
    Exhibitions at the city's art and culture centre. An abstract impressionist style forms around remembered Syrian landscape.
  4. 2012
    Narvik, Norway
    Above the Arctic Circle. Two years later, the first solo exhibition: Syria in Colours.
  5. 2014
    Barcelona, Spain
    The exhibition Window to the Memory.
  6. 2018
    Stavanger, Norway
    The work turns inward, from war to myth. Solo exhibitions and group shows across Norway and Europe.

In his words

Can you walk me through your creative process?

My creative process begins with inspiration, which can come from anywhere: nature, personal experiences, or even a simple conversation. Once I have an idea, I typically start by sketching in my notebook or creating a mood board to visualize my thoughts and gather relevant images, colors, and textures.

Next, I move on to planning the composition. This stage involves deciding on the materials I’ll use, whether it's paint, charcoal, or mixed media, and setting up my workspace. I often create a rough outline or base layer, allowing me to build up the piece gradually.

As I work, I stay open to spontaneous changes. I believe that some of the best ideas come from unexpected moments, so I embrace experimentation and let the piece evolve organically. After that, I spend time refining details and adding layers, paying attention to how colors and shapes interact.

Once I feel satisfied with the artwork, I take a step back to assess it as a whole. Finally, I may let it rest for a day or two before making any final adjustments, ensuring that I’m seeing it with fresh eyes. This process is both structured and fluid, allowing me to express my vision while remaining receptive to new possibilities.

Do you believe art has the power to heal or transform? How so?

I believe art has a profound power to heal and transform. Art serves as a universal language that can express emotions that are often difficult to articulate. For many, creating or engaging with art can provide an outlet for processing feelings, reducing stress, and promoting mental well-being.

On a personal level, I’ve experienced how creating art can act as a therapeutic practice, helping me navigate challenges and find clarity. Similarly, I’ve witnessed how art can foster connections among people, creating a sense of community and shared understanding.

Art also has the ability to challenge perceptions and provoke thought, prompting individuals to reflect on their experiences and the world around them. Whether it’s through visual art, music, or performance, the transformative impact of art can inspire change, encourage empathy, and ultimately lead to healing on both personal and societal levels.

What inspired you to start creating art?

What inspired me to start creating art was the desire to express emotions and ideas that I couldn’t put into words. I’ve always been fascinated by how art can communicate on a deeper level, beyond language. It was the freedom to explore, to connect with others, and to transform everyday moments into something meaningful that drew me in. Art allows me to channel my thoughts and experiences into something tangible, and that’s what keeps me creating.