Memories, impressions of Jordan's cities overlap in Kanaan's art

AMMAN — Jordanian artist Salam Kanaan says he has a deep connection to the historical cities of Jordan and Palestine, evident in his paintings, in which visions stored in his memory, imagination, and his personal impressions and feelings overlap.اضافة اعلان



Jordanian artist Salam Kanaan is pictured in this undated photo. (Photo: Handout from Salam Kanaan)

The streets, houses, structures, and mountains of Amman’s downtown, Jabal Amman, Salt, and Palestine’s Nablus and Jerusalem are a key theme in the impressionist’s paintings.
Kanaan studied fine arts in 1987 in Jordan, followed by a master’s degree from France in 1993. “I discovered my talent at an early age, and I started drawing in 1976,” Kanaan said in an interview with Jordan News.


Land of Palestine by Jordanian artist Salam Kanaan. (Photo: Handout from Salam Kanaan)

In Salam Kanaan Art Gallery, located on Rainbow Street in Jabal Amman, the artist showcased a collection of his works, which include paintings and ceramics. The art gallery was opened in 2004, and has since become a gathering spot for many people, as visitors come from all over Jordan to enjoy listening to classical music, drinking coffee, and viewing Kanaan's artworks.


Yafa Orange Groves - Palestine, Oil on Canvas by Salam Kanaan. (Photo: Handout from Salam Kanaan)

The artist’s solo exhibitions in Amman included Amman the Capital in 2002, We Are the Sky in 2012, and Return to Salt in 1996, in addition to exhibitions in Bernanos Gallery and Blue Bar Gallery in Paris, in 1992 and 1993 respectively. As for group exhibitions, Kanaan has participated in international exhibitions around the world and won the first prize in a competition in Mairie de Cannes in Cannes, France, in 1991.



Amman’s heritage houses in watercolor by Salam Kanaan. (Photo: Handout from Salam Kanaan)

In 2016, the Kanaan published “Amman The Capital,” a collection of his works encompassing paintings of Amman's streets and historic houses from the 1980s and until 2015. The book features old houses in Jabal Amman, Jabal Luweibdeh and downtown.


Jordanian artist Salam Kanaan’s works are seen at Salam Kanaan Art Gallery, on Rainbow Street, Jabal Amman. (Photos: Huda Dabeet/Jordan News)

“My artworks are inspired by everyday scenes,” He said. “I enjoy painting old houses since they are architectural treasures with significant heritage value.”



Jordanian artist Salam Kanaan’s works are seen at Salam Kanaan Art Gallery, on Rainbow Street, Jabal Amman. (Photos: Huda Dabeet/Jordan News)

“Behind every artist is a message he wants to convey through visual expression. If these two things are combined, art is created,” Kanaan added.



Jordanian artist Salam Kanaan’s works are seen at Salam Kanaan Art Gallery, on Rainbow Street, Jabal Amman. (Photos: Huda Dabeet/Jordan News)



Jordanian artist Salam Kanaan’s works are seen at Salam Kanaan Art Gallery, on Rainbow Street, Jabal Amman. (Photos: Huda Dabeet/Jordan News)



Jordanian artist Salam Kanaan’s works are seen at Salam Kanaan Art Gallery, on Rainbow Street, Jabal Amman. (Photos: Huda Dabeet/Jordan News)



Jordanian artist Salam Kanaan’s works are seen at Salam Kanaan Art Gallery, on Rainbow Street, Jabal Amman. (Photos: Huda Dabeet/Jordan News)

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