Nawfal Johnson Nur

Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

About Nawfal Johnson Nur

MY BRIEF HISTORY AND BACKGROUND: I have been designing photographs for a little over 40-years, part of that time as just a hobbyist in my early years, growing up in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. I am a self-taught Artist and Photographist for the most part: I did, however, take one class in "Drawing," at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, as an undergraduate student. From 1997 until 2001, I worked as a freelance editorial Photographer for several magazines, including GOLD, Dance Teacher Now, Dance Spirit, and BLADE. Some of the specific areas of my editorial work were Stage & Dance Production Photography and Historical Photo-Essays, which concentrated Malaysian culture. However now, I am focusing more of my time working on Abstract Art Photography. I am especially interested in Abstract Expressionism. MY INFLUENCES: Jackson Pollock, Paul Klee, Piet Mondrian, and Mark Rothko are primary influences for me and my work; thus, a lot of my time is spent on Abstract Expressionism Photography. I am also doing more experimentation with Urban Color Field Photography. I own three incurable diseases that cause me pain every day: Ankylosing Spondylitis, Osteoporosis, and Ménière's Disease. I attempt to channel my pain into my work. I also attempt to focus on creating work so that I can divert some of my pain and fatigue caused by my diseases. Doing my artwork is helpful, but it is not a solution—there are no solutions for my diseases, and they are a part of me. Thus, my diseases influence my work, and much of my work is 'dark'. A good portion of my newer works would be from the "Dark Side of the Force", and that "darkness" is the pain I feel, unleashing itself in my artworks. MY RECENT ART PHOTOGRAPHY SERIES: Recently, I have focused a lot of my time on creating "Fire Portraits", "Smoke-Art Abstracts", "Smoke Portraits", "Abstract Light Streaks Photography", and "Non-Geometric Delineated Abstract" Art Photography—it is a mixture of my pen abstract artwork and digital photography. I also enjoy creating informal portraiture, cat portraiture, and macro still life photography. MY MANTRA: When I get my photography gear out, I just really have one super-goal in mind: To Take BETTER Pictures! I guess that is my mantra - "Take BETTER Pictures...See Better!" WHERE I'M FROM & MY WEB PRESENCE: I am originally from Lincoln, Nebraska; however, I have been living in Penang, Malaysia, since 1994. Photography Blogs / Photography Work to See On-Line: http://smokephotographist.wordpress.com/ http://interpretationsofdance.wordpress.com/ EXHIBITIONS: ● In March 2017, I had a Solo Photography Exhibition at the top floor, exhibition space of the St. Giles The Gardens Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The photography series was "Life with Ankylosing Spondylitis." Sponsored by NOVARTIS. ● In May 2017, I had a Solo Photography Exhibition at The Curve, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The photography series was "Life with Ankylosing Spondylitis." Sponsored by NOVARTIS.

Education:

Master of Community & Regional Planning from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Bachelor's Degree in History (with several courses in Art History), and a Minor Degree in English Literature focusing on Literary History.

Exhibitions:

EXHIBITIONS:
● In March 2017, I had a Solo Photography Exhibition at the top floor, exhibition space of the St. Giles The Gardens Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The photography series was "Life with Ankylosing Spondylitis." Sponsored by NOVARTIS.
● In May 2017, I had a Solo Photography Exhibition at The Curve, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The photography series was "Life with Ankylosing Spondylitis." Sponsored by NOVARTIS.