Arab artists: Jouni captures the faces of people

From a very early age, Hassan Jouni started painting faces and people, believing that capturing the faces of people in a different medium to be highly expressive.

So much so that Jouni explains:

“I was driven to see houses in the shape of people. These houses were even ‘dressed up’ like people.”

Lebanese artist Hasan Jouni

Born in Zakak Al Blat, Beirut in 1942, Jouni was raised in a poor environment that encouraged him to work hard to earn a living. Jouni received a diploma in painting and photography from the Faculty of Fine Arts in Beirut and was subsequently granted a scholarship from the National Education and Fine Arts Ministry to study in Madrid. Finishing his Bachelor’s degree in 1970, Jouni taught at the San Fernando Institute in Madrid.

Jouni’s studio in Zkak El- Blat, Beirut overlooks the sea. Jouni’s work is made up of vivid colours, with houses “’dressed up’ like people.” In some cases, the characters in his paintings almost appear to communicate with each other.

Jouni does not attribute the grandeur of his paintings to one single person, stating that the soul of his paintings is shared amongst a myriad of nameless heroes.

To read more and view Hassan Jouni’s art please follow the link:

http://enawafeth.alarabiya.net/content/heroes-are-entwined-their-houses