Lionel Nemeth - Held Within

Lionel Nemeth is a Belgian contemporary artist specializing in figurative string art. His work is based on a fundamental principle: the image is never directly drawn, it emerges solely through the tension and density of the thread.

Entirely handmade, each piece requires thousands of thread passes stretched between carefully positioned nails, creating compositions that shift between abstraction and figuration depending on the viewing distance and the light.

In Held Within, the figure appears suspended between restraint and dissolution. The raised posture creates a sense of tension and vulnerability, while the dense network of thread gradually fragments the body into areas of presence and disappearance. Through approximately 5,000 thread passes, the image emerges from the material itself, revealing a delicate balance between strength and collapse.

The work does not reveal itself instantly. From a distance, the figure becomes clear and expressive; up close, it dissolves into an intricate structure of intersecting lines and tension.

This piece required more than 30 hours of meticulous manual work.

Entirely handmade artwork, signed on the back and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

Absolute unique piece — this model will never be reproduced.

Technical details

Technique: Fully handmade string art
Approximately 5,000 thread passes between 260 nails

Materials:
MDF panel
Ultra-thin nylon thread (0.1 mm)
Brass nails

Contemporary creation
Signed on the back
Certificate of authenticity included
Additional works and portfolio: lionelnemeth.com