Grandfa Legacy | haidarhamaoui

Jade, Hamaoui's grandson

I met my grandfather three times in my life. Once when I was a baby, once when I was twelve and the last time was about three years ago. I am now 25 years old. I grew up looking at his art on the walls and knowing of him through the stories I heard. I knew he was an exceptional man by what I was told. But even more importantly, I always had a deep knowing of who he was, simply by looking at his art. When I observed his paintings, I knew they came from a profound man who was a seeker of beauty and wisdom, a man looking for what it means to be human. I could see it and feel it in each stroke of paint. And, since I was a small, I always knew that the same depth and wisdom rushed through my veins. Even though we weren't familiar with each other personally, I have always felt very connected to this man, to his art, to his heart and to his mind. I knew him through his art.

I was amazed, when I spent some time in his studio a few years back, to see how similar we are. In thought, passion, creative/spiritual expression and mission in life. It was fantastic to realize how influenced by him I am, indirectly. However, It was not a surprise because there was an essence that I knew at a deep level. And if there is one thing I know for certain, it's that through me, and the others who have come from him, his legacy continues."

Jade Hassouné, Rima's son