Shapes of Transcendence 22 (detail), Nabil Mousa
Shapes of Transcendence:
Exploring Profound Abstraction
Nabil Mousa
April 3 - May 23, 2026
EAST GALLERY
Opening Reception April 3, 5-8pm
Shapes of Transcendence: Exploring Profound Abstraction is a collection of paintings inspired by Nabil Mousa’s spiritual journey through Sedona, Arizona, and the ancient tradition of Tantra paintings. These works evoke a sense of serenity and spiritual connection, offering a visual pathway to inner contemplation and renewal.
About the Artist
Nabil Mousa is a Syrian-American visual artist whose interdisciplinary practice explores themes of identity, religion, politics, and human rights. Born in Syria and raised in the United States, Mousa draws from his lived experience as a gay Arab-American navigating complex, cultural, religious, and political tensions. His work - spanning painting, installation, and performance - confronts issues of social justice, faith, and moral responsibility, often engaging viewers in dialogue around systems of power, intolerance, and resilience.
Mousa has exhibited nationally and internationally, including his solo exhibition American Landscape: An Exploration of Art & Humanity at the Arab American National Museum, which received front-page coverage in the New York Times Art section. His work has also been featured in Art in America, NBC News, and numerous international publications including Wolgammisool (South Korea) and To Vima (Greece), reflecting the global resonance of his practice.
Based in St. Louis, Mousa continues to develop ambitious projects that merge aesthetic exploration with civic engagement. He is the founder of the Mousa Art Initiative (MAI) and Gallery 874, platforms he established to create space for dialogue, amplify underrepresented voices, and engage communities through socially driven contemporary art. Through these initiatives, his practice extends beyond the studio into curatorial work, public programming, and collaborative projects that foster critical discourse and collective participation.
The East Gallery is dedicated to emerging and experimental artists.
Exhibitions at the Foundry Art Centre are free and open to the public. For more information, please email Jessica Mannisi, Director of Exhibitions, at jmannisi@foundryartcentre.org