Ealing Gazette Friday 3rd November 2006 Art Centre’s SOS

An artist who fled Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq is fighting the proposed closure of an art centre he set up ten years ago.

Yousif Naser fled from the Middle East in 1990 and founded the Ark art centre on his arrival in London in 1996.

It has now become a popular destination for refugees from countries such as Syria and Lebanon.

The volunteer-run base in Old Stables Block, Longfield Avenue, Ealing, also holds classes for people with special needs and those who are struggling to have their work exhibited elsewhere.

Despite its significance, the Ark is facing an uncertain future because of its location behind Ealing Town Hall.

The council has told Mr Naser he and his team must move out by January because of the impending Dickens Yard development, for which work will begin in September 2007.

Mr Naser, 53, said: “My love for the Ark is unconquerable – we are launching a campaign to save it.

“We have started a petition and will be handing out leaflets and flyers. WE moved into this centre two years ago and when we signed a contract with the council it was agreed that if we had to move they would find us another place. I don’t feel like the council is helping g us like it said it would and certainly not quick enough, we may have a period without any premises.”

The Ark is funded by the council and grants from the Arts Council.

It started in South Ealing Road and moved to its current location in 2004.

Algerian artist Houria Niati, who displayed her work at the prestigious Parc du Luxembourg, and other galleries in Paris and London, is among the volunteers who have contributed to the centre’s success. She said: “The centre does a lot of work for disabled people. It is hard to beat.”

A spokeswoman for Ealing Council said help would be given to find new premises, but not a time frame.  If you want to help the Save The Ark campaign call Mr Naser on 020 8810 1987.

Arab Online 26th October 2006Yousif Naser’s paintings released 

Acclaimed Iraqi painter Yousif Naser’s collection created over a lifetime in exile has become available to the public for the first time.

Entitled “The Missing Mediterranean” and “Heads”, his work portrays the full spectrum of human emotion, borne out of a life defined by great tragedy, endurance and inspiration, set against a backdrop of war in Iraq and conflict in the Middle East.

This collection in oils and mixed media is daring, full of beauty and haunting all at once, leaving the spectator mesmerised. In the “Head” series Yousif successfully explores the very edge of his pain as his homeland is destroyed.

Painting with such intensity and drive often left Yousif exhausted and demoralised, so to escape this darkness he found himself working frantically in vivid colours which created “The Missing Mediterranean’ series, reflecting his journey into exile in Cyprus from which he was later expelled. Click here to read full story