I always paint as a sculptor, not as a painter, he explains. My paintings and I speak to each other—I never consider a work finished until we’ve had that dialogue.
“Every person has two countries,” says Ammar Alnahhas, a Syrian-born artist whose journey led him to Romania in 2006. This personal migration has profoundly shaped his artistic voice—a fusion of Mesopotamian roots and the vibrant traditions of South-East Europe.
With a background in sculpture from the University of Damascus (1997–2001), Ammar approaches painting through the lens of a sculptor. His figures and forms carry a tactile, almost chiseled quality, echoing the discipline of his foundational training. “I always paint as a sculptor, not as a painter,” he explains. “My paintings and I speak to each other—I never consider a work finished until we’ve had that dialogue.”
Influenced by ancient Syrian art and culture, his work maintains cultural continuity while absorbing the colors, textures, and emotional rhythms of his adopted homeland. His style is emotional, intuitive, and expressive, grounded in sketching and an ongoing search for truth through form.
Ammar has exhibited extensively across Romania, particularly in Bucharest, earning the admiration of collectors and curators alike. His works reside in private collections around the world—from Europe and the U.S. to the Middle East. Notable recognitions include “The Key of Old Damascus” in 2006, symbolizing both a farewell and a lasting connection to his origins.
Through every canvas, Ammar Alnahhas bridges histories, geographies, and artistic traditions, transforming personal experience into universal expression.