Nael Hanna (b.1959)

Born in 1959 in Nineva, Northern Iraq, of mixed culture (Iraqi, Greek and Syrian Christian Orthodox) Nael spent much of his childhood studying and drawing animals, birds and people. At the age of nineteen, he entered college before being drafted into the Army to serve during the Iraq-Iran War.

Whilst in military service, Nael continued to paint and was awarded a Scholarship by the Ministry of Education, Bagdad, to study art in Britain. In 1983, he undertook art and language courses in Southampton before being accepted for the Fine Art degree course at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee.

In 1987, Nael won a further scholarship to study at Hospitalfield Summer School, Arbroath and it was during this time that he developed his great passion for the East coast of Scotland – with its dramatic scenery and ever changing weather.

Upon graduating with First Class Honours in 1989, Nael studied in Florence, having been awarded The Royal Scottish Academy John Kinross Scholarship, before returning to Dundee and the rural Angus countryside where he made his home.

Nael initially lectured and taught whilst continuing to develop his own distinctive work. He has won a number of awards and exhibited in many countries including Malaysia, Egypt and the USA. He is a regular exhibitor at the RGI, RSA, SSA and SSAC annual shows and with prominent galleries throughout the UK. His works are included within major Public and Private Collections worldwide.

Today, Nael devotes his time fully to painting and continues to be inspired by his deep love of nature, and his fascination with the elements so dramatically displayed within the Scottish landscape and its coastlines.