"Rooted in the vivid hues of the fig fruit, or 'Teen' in Arabic, this series of figurative abstract impressionist paintings invites a profound exploration of color, symbolism, and cultural history. Motivated by the fig’s deep ties to sacred and historical narratives, the artist delves into the fruit’s layered significance. Repeatedly referenced in ancient texts, the fig emerges not just as a symbol of temptation, but as a visual metaphor for human vulnerability—its association with the 'forbidden fruit' of the Garden of Eden challenging traditional iconography. In this retelling, Adam and Eve’s consumption of the fruit is mirrored by their attempt to cover their nakedness with fig leaves, evoking a complex interplay of desire, shame, and revelation.

Hani Naji’s paintings render these themes with a striking abstraction, focusing on the rich, earthy palette of the fig to evoke both the sensuality and the mythic weight of the fruit. Through a series of 12 works in the 'Teens (Figes)' collection, Naji distills the fig’s essence, fusing form and color into a vivid tapestry that transcends representation. The artist plans to further expand the series, continuing to explore and deconstruct the fig’s symbolic potential with 8 more pieces."