Nael Hanna

Nael Hanna was born in 1959 in Nineveh, Northern Iraq, into a richly diverse heritage of Iraqi, Greek, and Syrian Christian Orthodox roots. From a young age, he was captivated by the natural world, spending his childhood drawing animals, birds, and people. After beginning college, he was drafted into the Army during the Iraq-Iran War, yet his passion for art endured. Recognised for his talent, he received a scholarship from the Iraqi Ministry of Education to study in Britain, leading him to Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee, where he graduated with First Class Honours in 1989.

While studying in Scotland, Nael was awarded further scholarships—including time at Hospitalfield in Arbroath and the Royal Scottish Academy’s John Kinross Scholarship to study in Florence. These experiences profoundly shaped his artistic vision and cemented his deep connection to the East Coast of Scotland. Inspired by its rugged landscapes, shifting weather, and atmospheric light, he developed a distinctive style rooted in expressive mark-making and emotional responses to the land and sea.

Now living in rural Angus, Nael devotes himself entirely to painting. His work has earned multiple awards and is held in public and private collections worldwide. He has exhibited internationally—including in Malaysia, Egypt, and the United States—and is a regular contributor to major Scottish exhibitions such as the RGI, RSA, SSA, and SSAC. Nael has had several acclaimed solo exhibitions at Fraser Gallery St Andrews and continues to be a valued presence in our mixed shows.