Abstracted Linguistics, Abbas Yousif
Abbas Yousif’s early fascination with language—particularly the stylistic variations of Arabic calligraphy—opened up a diverse world of linguistic expression. Focusing on both the meaning of text and its emotional resonance, Abbas expands the possibilities of visual language. A prolific writer and educator, his recent paintings and prints incorporate letters, marks, and colors to explore a personal narrative; a visible, abstract environment shaped by individual experiences and observations.
Brought up by the sea, with a panoramic view of its countless hues of blue, Abbas recreates these memories as land reclamation compels him to reminisce in his own visual language. Vibrant tones mingle with indecipherable marks, woven together with literal references to both turmoil and optimism.
His works invite multiple readings, from allusions to Sufism in his circular pieces to the symbolic presence of purple and its ties to chaos in religious and mythical histories. The paintings and prints open a space where past, present, and his vision of the future converge—a future where the sea will reclaim the land.
Exhibition opened April 22, 2025.
