Graphic Arts: Lines & Tracks by Nayel Zeaiter (European Year of Rail, Brussels 2011)

Nayel Zeaiter studied decorative arts in Paris and strives to continue and preserve the genre of history painting. His work alternates between large-format works and editorial works for the publishing house Comprendre, which he founded in 2011. In the framework of the exhibition 'Lines & Tracks' — on the occasion of EUROPALIA TRAINS & TRACKS — EUROPALIA and the CGII, La Louvière, invited Nayel Zeaiter to create a contemporary intervention — to be shown in situ — directly related to the city of La Louvière. The artist developed this new work during a residency at the Keramis Museum. Part of Europalia Arts Festival and EU Year of Rail, 'Lines & Tracks' sketches the history of the Belgian railways through the development of graphic design. In the beginning, purely informative, typographical posters were used. The evolution of new printing techniques gradually changed the look and function of railway posters: visual and promotional elements took precedence and they became more and more colourful and enticing. 'Lines & Tracks' features more than 140 Belgian railway posters from the SNCB/NMBS collection as well as public and private collections. Every two years, EUROPALIA compiles a diverse artistic programme focusing on a country or a theme. Visit the website: https://europalia.eu/nl/europalia-trains-and-tracks/news/behind-the-project-lines-and-tracks-met-nayel-zeaiter