Why Nabil Kanso's haunting paintings of war feel made for our times
We have become remarkably good at watching war. It floods our screens sandwiched between entertainment and advertisement, competes for the same attention as everything else, and loses. Never have we had such constant exposure to human suffering, yet it has become increasingly difficult for many to truly absorb it. Perhaps we need art to do what the news cannot: to put us inside the experience…
In an era where war is constantly broadcasted alongside entertainment and advertisements, renowned Lebanese-American artist Nabil Kanso's haunting paintings of conflict feel particularly relevant. Kanso, born in Beirut in 1940, dedicated his life to addressing humanity threatened by endless images of violence. After studying in London and earning degrees in political science and art history, he settled in New York in 1966, eventually establishing himself as one of the most important painters of the modern Arab world.
Kanso's work confronts war in all its brutality and light, spanning conflicts in Vietnam, Japan, Lebanon, South Africa, and El Salvador. Despite receiving his first major solo exhibition seven years after his death in Lebanon, Kanso's paintings seem to resonate more with the present than history. His monumental body of work, spanning five decades, features 88 oil paintings created over 20 years, depicting the lives unfolding within conflicts.
Rather than documenting conflict alone, Kanso's paintings immerse viewers in the lives affected by war. His canvases feature not only soldiers but also mothers, lovers, musicians, children, and pregnant women, positioning the latter as guardians of life even as violence surrounds them. Kanso believed that constant exposure to war desensitizes us, and his paintings attempt the opposite, offering hope amidst the darkness.
In his work, Kanso emphasizes the human capacity for indifference and the impact of war on our humanity. His tagline, "Producing art in the face of war, cruelty and indifference," drives him to continue painting monumental canvases, defying commercial rewards. Despite Lebanon's delayed recognition of his contributions, Kanso remained committed to his craft, rejecting compromises for commercial gain.
His work serves as a powerful reminder that war is unnatural and that rejecting indifference is essential for humanity's well-being.
Written by urgent.news from The National Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Why Nabil Kanso's haunting paintings of war feel made for our times thenationalnews.com
