5 May - June 2009
Syrian artists Ghazwan Allaf (sculptor) and Ismail Nasra (painter)
Ghazwan Allaf was born in Damascus, Syria, in 1973. He places the human face at the center of his work, using it as his main form of expression. Whether fully present or partially revealed, the face becomes a way to question human existence, our relationship with others, and our place within the world.
His compositions move between individual figures and groups, sometimes accompanied by symbolic or imagined elements. There is always a quiet sense of tension in the works, even in stillness.
Through simple but deliberate techniques fragmented forms, contrasting textures, and subtle additions, Allaf reflects the emotional state of contemporary life: anxiety, isolation, and uncertainty. Yet, within this, there is also a sense of resilience, with moments of hope, warmth, and human connection.
Ismail Nasra graduated from the fine arts college photographing department in 1987.
