Suleiman Mansour

Style: Figurative Expressionism;

Place: Birzeit

Born: 1947

Biography:

Suleiman Mansour, also known as Sliman or Suliman, is a renowned Palestinian painter, sculptor, author, and cartoonist. Born in 1947, he is considered one of the leading figures among contemporary Palestinian artists. His work captures the cultural concept of sumud, which reflects the daily life and struggles of those living in Palestine.

Early Life and Education

Mansour was born in Birzeit, north of Jerusalem, in 1947. He studied art at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem, where he developed a realist style of painting. However, he didn't want to study Abstract expressionism, instead, he wanted to paint more realistic things from life.

Artistic Career

In 1987, Mansour co-founded the New Visions collective with other Palestinian artists, including Vera Tamari, Tayseer Barakat, and Nabil Anani. This collective used natural materials derived from the Palestinian environment to boycott Israeli art supplies in protest of the ongoing occupation. Mansour's use of mud as a material was inspired by his childhood memories of working with his grandmother, who built beehives and ovens using mud. Some notable works by Suleiman Mansour include:

• Destroyed Palestinian villages, a series of four paintings created in 1988, depicting the villages of Yibna, Yalo, Imwas, and Bayt Dajan.
• Traditional Palestinian clothing and embroidery, two books authored by Mansour, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Palestine.

Mansour's work has been exhibited around the world, including at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. His paintings reflect the Palestinian struggle and include images of women in traditional clothing and Levantine tree-filled landscapes.

Contributions to Palestinian Art

Mansour has contributed extensively to the development of an infrastructure for fine arts in Palestine. He has taught at numerous cultural institutions and universities, including Al-Quds University. He was also the head of the League of Palestinian Artists from 1986 to 1990. In 1994, Mansour co-founded the al-Wasiti Art Center in East Jerusalem. He is a member of the Founding Board of Directors of the International Academy of Art Palestine, established in 2004. Palestinian art has been shaped by Mansour's contributions, and his work continues to inspire new generations of artists. For more information on Suleiman Mansour and his work, visit Suleiman Mansour | Wikioo.org or Sliman Mansour - Wikipedia.