Nauha Dabboussy moved with her family to Australia from Lebanon when she was 8 years old. She grew up in Melbourne before coming to Sydney where she discovered a passion for painting. “I’d always wanted to do it,” she says. “So I started to explore the options, first at TAFE (St George and Gymea), then studying art history at COFA.”
Since the late 1990s, the artist has completed several courses and won awards too, including First Prize at the Bayside Arts Festival in 2019.
Nauha’s appreciation of impressionist painting informs much of her work, from bright-lit landscapes in oils and watercolour (European and Australian scenes) to richly textured still lifes, nudes and portraits.
There’s also a highly stylised approach to figuration and composition. A striking lino-block print, hand-coloured, depicts two ducks on a lake.
“With regard to more stylised work, I just naturally found my way. It’s about noticing the character of a place or subject, bringing out something special or beautiful, paying attention to design elements.”
Most days Nauha works in her studio-gallery at Banksia (14 Railway Street). She enjoys meeting people there (fortuitously, there’s a coffee shop next door) – engaging in conversation while she draws or paints.
“Painting means many hours on my own but I love the social aspects too. I belong to art groups, including the St George Art Society, and like to visit the galleries. I enjoy getting involved in group shows – and will have some works in a show at Parliament House in June.”
Nauha will present a selection of original works at the Orchard Gallery in Waterloo on May 28. There will be music and complimentary refreshments from 5pm, as well as affordable prints and cards for sale.
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Selected Works
Nauha Dabboussy
Opening 5-6.30pm
Saturday May 28
Until June 30, 2022
The Orchard Gallery
56a Raglan St, Waterloo
Phone 0405 849 315
