Untitled, 2010

Thaier Helal

Thaier Helal is one of the foremost figures in Middle Eastern contemporary art. A graduate of the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Damascus, Helal launched his career in Syria before relocating to the United Arab Emirates in the 1990s. His practice has consistently pushed the boundaries of painting, often blurring the line between painting and assemblage.

Helal’s work is characterized by layered compositions built on sketched grids, which serve as structural frameworks. Onto these, he applies unconventional materials such as sand, glue, and coal, creating tactile surfaces that evoke both physical and sensory experiences of the world around him. His paintings often explore themes of memory, landscape, and collective identity, rendered through abstraction that balances chaos with order.

Alongside his artistic practice, Helal has played a significant role in nurturing the next generation of artists. He has taught at the Sharjah Arts Institute and served as a professor at the University of Sharjah, influencing the development of contemporary painting in the region