Although the younger brother of prominent Syrian artist Adham Ismail, Naim Ismail was a gifted painter in his own right, reconfiguring the traditional aesthetic of Arab decorative arts with a modernist sensibility. His painting style became highly influential. His incorporation of the patterns, geometry and visual rhythms of local textiles, for example, are joined in harmonious colourist compositions that suggest depth and space with sharp lines and multiple planes, giving an illusionist feel in which everyday visual culture is highlighted for its complexity and brought into the realm of fine art. This approach pays homage to the region's rich heritage while seeking to expand its borders.

Born in Antioch, Syria in 1930, Ismail studieThe Young Collectors Auction House
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