Theo de Feyter and Tell Sabi Abyad

Some time ago the Dutch artist Theo de Feyter visited the excavation at Tell Sabi Abyad. He is no stranger to Syria: Theo trained as an archaeologist and joined an excavation quite near to our Tell Sabi Abyad in the 1980s. Now he is a full-time artist and draws his inspiration from the excavation and the Syrian landscape.

This is a short report from his hand:

“I have been coming to Syria since 1984. First as a student of archaeology, then as an artist. In the latter capacity I became fascinated by the landscapes and towns of the Middle East.

I try to paint as many aspects of Syrian society as possible.The villages of the Syrian country with their many-cornered mud-brick houses, earth colours and heavy cast shadows with only a lantern post or a metal door to add a colour accent allow me to indulge my preference for simple motifs.

(Above) Expedition camp Tell Sabi Abyad

Gouache, 31 x 45 cm, 1999

(Middle) Hamlet near Tell Sabi Abyad

Gouache, 31 x 45 cm, 1999

(Below) The main street in the village of Hammam et-Turkman

Gouache, 46 x 61 cm, 2001

The archaeological excavation at Tell Sabi Abyad was a remarkable theme. The heavy walls of the Assyrian fortress contrasted strikingly with the tents of the seasonal workers set up at the foot of the tell.

In Damascus I painted the maze of newly-constructed concrete buildings, electricity wires, cars, traffic signs and historical architecture. It resulted in an image of continuous change, of a city in motion: decay and construction.

In Syria I work just as I do in the Netherlands or in Europe when I paint landscapes and townscapes. I sit in the field or in the town and paint from life. Therefore the gouaches and oil paintings were created before the motif. I do not only paint the picturesque in the Middle East, but also the insignificant or even the banal subjects. They are all  part of the picture that I want to render of a country."

If you want to know more about Theo de Feyter’s work, go to his website: www.theodefeyter.nl 

(Above) Tell Sabi Abyad, Assyrian fortress surrounded by cotton fields

Gouache, 31 x 45 cm, 1999

(Middle) Syria, mud-brick houses

Gouache, 29 x 21 cm, 2000

(Below) Syria, house with satellite dish

Gouache, 29 x 21 cm, 2000