(1940-2006), b. in Muharraq, Bahrain; lived and worked in Bahrain

Nasser AlYousif is a leading figure in Bahrain’s contemporary art movement, drawing artistic inspiration from the country’s rich traditions and natural beauty, even without a formal art education. Although he lost his eyesight later in his career, he persevered in his artistic endeavors.

In Roots, AlYousif captures a family working in vibrant fields beneath a crimson sunset, while newlyweds share an intimate moment amidst lush greenery. The artwork’s central theme underscores the deep connections among family, labor, and the land, symbolized by the roots that intertwine humanity and the earth. Personalities from the Neighborhood portrays a tightly knit community through abstracted shadowy figures, highlighting the daily routines of its inhabitants and their strong bonds. Despite its monochromatic palette, the piece radiates warmth and nostalgia, preserving fading memories of a close-knit culture and tradition. In Longing Songs, Nasser takes us to a traditional Bahraini dhow launching ceremony, where festively adorned women sing melancholic tunes as sea-faring men embark on months-long pearl journeys. This scene captures a communal spirit and the profound melancholy of women expressing their yearning for departing loved ones, as such, resonating with the universal theme of separation in the pursuit of livelihoods. Both of these artworks are part of a series that the artist produced After becoming visually impaired.

AlYousif stands as one of the pioneers who brought printing presses to Bahrain. His work can be found in museums across the Arab World as well as in private collections. During his lifetime, AlYousif also proudly represented Bahrain in cultural forums and exhibitions internationally, namely in Kuwait, Japan, Singapore, and Paris. In 1995, Sharjah recognized him as a fine arts pioneer in the Arabian Gulf.