Nejla Rouissi - Moonlit Silence

Nejla Rouissi — Moonlit Silence, 2019

55+ Layers · Acrylic · Gold & Silver · Sculptural Relief on Canvas
Unique Original Artwork — 50 × 50 × 3 cm

Moonlit Silence is a unique original artwork created in 2019 by multidisciplinary contemporary artist Nejla Rouissi.

The work is distinguished by an unusually elaborate construction involving more than 55 successive layers. Rouissi progressively builds the composition through acrylic, sculptural relief and carefully integrated gold and silver passages, creating a surface with genuine physical and optical depth.

Rather than producing the landscape in a single pictorial layer, the artist develops it gradually. Gold and silver layers alternate with acrylic passages, while several intermediate layers receive protective acrylic coatings designed to reinforce resistance to UV exposure and humidity. Further acrylic layers are then applied, continuing the construction of the image and relief.

This extended multilayer process gives the painting its distinctive depth and changing relationship with light.

Beneath an indigo and violet nocturnal sky, a luminous moon rises above pale mountains and a dense forest. Its reflection travels across the lake through sapphire blue, turquoise, green, white, gold and silver.

Depending on the viewing angle and illumination, the metallic elements emerge or recede within the darker acrylic layers. Raised horizontal passages structure the water, while thicker sculptural areas define the mountains, clouds and atmospheric movement.

Two almost miniature human figures appear within the landscape, introducing a quiet human presence and a subtle surreal dimension.

Although recognizable as a landscape, the composition is deliberately simplified. Rouissi reduces nature to essential forms, colour fields and material rhythms, positioning the work between contemporary surrealism, abstraction and sculptural minimalism.

A 55+ layer construction

The technical construction is a central component of Moonlit Silence:

More than 55 successive layers, combining acrylic painting, sculptural relief, gold and silver passages, intermediate protective acrylic coatings for enhanced resistance to UV exposure and humidity, followed by additional acrylic layers.

This accumulation creates a surface that cannot be fully perceived from a single viewpoint. Light travels differently across the matte, raised and metallic areas, allowing details to appear progressively as the viewer approaches or changes position.

About the artist

Nejla Rouissi (b. 1988) is a multidisciplinary contemporary artist, doctor-engineer, researcher and university lecturer in computer science.

Her practice develops at the intersection of science, technology and artistic creation, exploring systemic complexity and invisible structures through material, texture, depth and light.

Her parallel practice of trapeze and aerial hoop also contributes concepts of movement, suspension, tension and balance to her visual language.

This combination of analytical research and physical experimentation is particularly visible in Moonlit Silence, where dozens of successive layers are organized into a single coherent composition.

Nejla Rouissi is represented by Abstract Contemporary Art Gallery, Riga.

Artwork details
Artist: Nejla Rouissi
Title: Moonlit Silence
Year: 2019
Medium: Original painting
Technique: 55+ layers of acrylic, sculptural relief, gold and silver
Protection: Multiple intermediate protective acrylic layers for enhanced UV and humidity resistance
Support: Canvas professionally mounted on a 3 cm deep hardwood stretcher
Dimensions: 50 × 50 × 3 cm
Style: Sculptural minimalism / Contemporary surrealism / Abstraction / Landscape
Rarity: Unique original artwork — 1/1
Presentation: Unframed and ready to hang
Signature: Hand-signed by the artist
Condition: Excellent original studio condition
Restoration: None
Certificate of Authenticity: Included, issued by Abstract Contemporary Art Gallery
Provenance: Direct from the artist / Abstract Contemporary Art Gallery, Riga
Frame: Not included
Authenticity & presentation

This is a unique physical original — not a print, reproduction or edition.

The canvas is professionally mounted on a 3 cm deep hardwood stretcher and is delivered ready to hang.

A Certificate of Authenticity issued by Abstract Contemporary Art Gallery accompanies the artwork and documents its direct provenance.

Secure DHL Express delivery

The artwork is shipped mounted and completely flat — never rolled.

Its sculptural and multilayer surface is carefully protected with professional materials and rigid reinforced XPS panels, designed to reduce movement, pressure and abrasion during transportation.

Secure international delivery by DHL Express.

Œuvre réalisée directement dans l'atelier de l'artiste, présentée par la galerie Abstract Art. Cette création s'inscrit naturellement dans une démarche contemporaine actuelle et peut être présentée dans les sélections Inspirez-moi, Le meilleur en direct de l'atelier, Solo Shows et Tendances actuelles : Les artistes qui montent.