Hikmat Naeem (b. 1965, Syria) is a distinguished visual artist and educator with over 35 years of experience in painting, drawing, and Arabic calligraphy. He earned both his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts from the University of Damascus, Syria, where he developed his signature approach to abstraction and expressionism.
Naeem’s work is a profound exploration of memory, transformation, and cultural identity, blending gestural abstraction with elements of Arabic calligraphy. His compositions are defined by bold lines, vivid contrasts, and layered textures, reflecting the emotional and historical weight of his subject matter. Often integrating unconventional materials such as old wood and collage, he creates depth and texture that echo the layers of history, personal experience, and the passage of time.
Naeem explores the unseen presence of lost cities, where architecture dissolves into abstraction. His textured compositions depict urban spaces on the verge of disappearance, with fading structures that evoke histories of war, migration, and erasure. Through his use of layered paint, distressed surfaces, and fragmented forms, he conveys the fragility of place and the impermanence of human existence.
His paintings serve as a meditation on time, memory, and displacement, capturing the tension between remembrance and oblivion. By embracing imperfection, decay, and reconstruction, Naeem reflects on the cycles of destruction and renewal—both in architecture and in life. His work invites viewers to engage with the emotions and narratives embedded within these fading landscapes, urging them to reconsider the silent stories held within the ruins.
His artistic contributions have gained international recognition, with participation in over 25 global exhibitions, including the Sharjah Biennial for Arabic Calligraphy. He has also been honored with numerous awards, such as the Al Mazraa Literary and Artistic Prize, further cementing his impact on the contemporary art scene.
As both an artist and an educator, Naeem continues to inspire the next generation of artists, shaping contemporary artistic discourse through his innovative approach to abstraction and his deep-rooted commitment to visual storytelling. His work not only challenges conventional artistic boundaries but also offers a space for reflection on the ever-changing landscapes of memory, culture, and identity.