Lina Noueiri

A large scale still life oil painting of a hotpot table at a restaurant filled with food. At the centre, three broth flavours are beginning to summer, as hands reach across and arrange the uncooked vegetables and meats on the table, cramming it full under a strong spotlight. 'Feasting' is the latest oil painting in Lina Noueiri's series called Nourishing Connections. It captures a view from one sitting at a table with others, looking down at the strongly lit scene where spicy broths begin to boil at the centre surrounded by plates and plates of various foods ready to be enjoyed by those surrounding the table. Hands and arms reach across, either grabbing plates or placing them down, and the bright colours of the vegetables and meats entice the viewer to feel excited as if they were also taking part in this celebratory feast. The reference for this painting was taken from the artist's life - an evening in Rotterdam visiting a friend who had moved away from London. They had all gathered in a restaurant to enjoy one another's company and spend time sharing and eating food together.

A smaller oil painting with looser brushstrokes depicting a sunlit table with flowers, ice creams, syrups, and scoopers strewn across its surface. The messiness of the containers indicates that people have enjoyed making their bespoke bowls of ice cream on this warm spring day. Lina's artistic practices focuses on an exploration of human connection through the method of making, sharing and eating food with one another. This piece is lifted from an experience the artist had visiting a friend for their birthday, who hosted a sundae party where several flavours and syrups were made for people to combine however they wished. Pink and purple flowers stand in beautiful glass vases and a birthday card sits in the centre of the arrangement.

A large scale still life oil painting of the edges of ravioli parcels being crimped by forks, preparing them to be boiled and fried for dinner. Two hands reach into the scene holding forks over a table covered in flower and half-prepared morsels. 'Filling' is the first oil painting in Lina Noueiri's series called Nourishing Connections. Lina's artistic practices focuses on an exploration of human connection through the method of making, sharing and eating food with one another. This piece celebrates the evenings where friends are invited over to prepare and enjoy more complicated recipes, relishing the act of making together and enjoying the fleeting experience of tasting something you all worked hard on. The lighting is warm, and the perspective is dramatic, and the arrangement is full of energy.

A brightly coloured still life painting of two plates in strong sunshine outdoors. The plate in the foreground has a slice of tiramisu waiting to be tucked into. In the background a second plate of marbled cake sits with a pile of teaspoons implies the food will be shared. 'Tiramisu on the Table' shows a familiar scene in the sun of cake being shared by many. In this instance, a lot is implied by the setting, the warmth, the amount of teaspoons, and the type of food. The viewer sits at the table, focusing on the tiramisu as the shadow of someone sitting opposite cuts softly into the harsh summer lighting bouncing off the brightly coloured table. The still life aims to capture a familiar memory, despite being taken directly from a moment in the artist's life whilst away on holiday with friends.

A brightly coloured oil painting depicting a festive meal is spread out on a full table with a bright red table cloth. Plates are piled high with classic Christmas staples and hands begin to reach into the scene to begin tucking in. Lina's artistic practices focuses on an exploration of human connection through the method of making, sharing and eating food with one another. This piece represents one of many times the artist has come together with extended family over a shared meal at Christmas time. The season represents the communal act of sharing food connecting people, so it only makes sense it would be captured and celebrated in a painting.