Some stories are told in words. Others in color, texture, and silence. Bentala continues to explore journeys shaped by movement, reflection, and becoming. This chapter of Unfold brings us into the world of Nabil — an artist whose work speaks through nature, humanity, and the quiet poetry of blue. A conversation about identity, expression, and what it means to leave something meaningful behind.

Born in Germany to a German mother and a Tunisian father, Nabil’s life has always moved between cultures, languages, and landscapes. From early creative explorations with family to formative experiences with European artists, his journey eventually led him across continents to landed in Indonesia, where he now continues his artistic path.

 

The Beginning — Where It All Started

Could you tell us a little bit story about yourself?

Sure! I will start with my parents. My mom is German, and my father is from Tunisia. I was born in Germany, and I grew up in Germany. Most of the time I spent my life in Germany, and I came to art much closer with my cousin. So, we mostly tried to play around doing small theater, sketches and painting. And then in my school time around 9^th grade, I had a chance to do intern with a French artist. And from there, everything starting to build step by step into more passion in art. After that, I moved to Los Angeles for a year to study English. After that I moved back to Germany, and I continued doing art and I went to acting school in Germany. And somehow life brought me to Indonesia. I had a very short visit back then. And now I am here, and very blessed to be here.

You’ve lived between so many cultures, Germany, Tunisia, and now Indonesia.
How has that shaped the way you see and create art?

It shaped my art in the way of very dep respect to other artists as well. Because they are so many cultures and so many artists around the world and to travel and to live in different cultures give me a deeper sense of respect and tolerance. Not only in the way of art, but also between you and me as a person. And all it gives me a lot of inspirations to integrate different cultures- and especially the nature into my artwork.

 Was there a specific moment or experience that made you realize,
“This is what I want to express through my work”?

Well, that’s a very long story actually. But I think after I figured out how important nature and our environment is, I wanted to be the voice for the nature, to represent the nature. To make sure people understand how beautiful it is and how much we can explore the nature. And it even heals us. I think that was the moment which was already a long time ago, when I realized I wanted to be the representation of the nature, which includes human being as well, we are part of it. Nature shapes us. So, I think to appreciate it is very important.

 

“I wanted to be a voice for nature — to show how beautiful it is, how deeply it heals us, and to remind us that we are part of it.”

 

A Blue Message

I noticed that a lot of your art has a lot of blue color. Does that mean anything to you? Why blue?
Yeah, I got this question a lot, “Why blue?” I think because my family heritage is part of it comes from Africa, which they do have the blue ocean, the blue sky. They use a lot of blue colours. They are very vibrant. And I think the other part is my mentor where I had my internship with. He also uses a lot of blue. So, he inspired me and reminded me where I also come from, not only from Germany but also there’s part of me comes from Tunisia. So, I think blue for me always a very warm colour. Not cold. Not at all. It reminds me on the beach, warm, blue sky, very hot.

When people encounter your art, what do you hope they carry home?

Hmm.. I hope they carry home a part of themselves. A more like they are being connected to themselves, emotionally. And of course, the joy and beauty of life, and nature, and the excitement of exploring through not only through my artwork, art in general. For me I wish when people see my artwork, they are able to be themselves. To reconnect to themselves. Not only respecting and accepting of themselves but also understanding to respect and aspect other people they way they are. Everyone wants to be who they are so we have to give space for other people to be themselves.

“When people see my work, I hope they carry a part of themselves home — reconnecting to who they are, and finding the freedom to simply be.”

 

Indonesian Art Scene and Growth

What has being an artist taught you about yourself?

Life is beautiful and difficult at the same time somehow. For an artist, life is sometimes very tough. And I fear that I have to make my own big choices to get somewhere, to create something, and I have to think out of my comfort zone, which is also I think unusual in our society sometimes. So, art gives me a lot of lessons.

What do you think of the art scene in Indonesia?

I think it’s good. It’s blooming. It’s shining, people are willing to create art. It gets appreciated more and more. It’s growing. I think the art scene in Indonesia is under-rated. There are so many great artists, designers, fashion designers. I hope they are going to do more group exhibitions or collaborations with other countries, especially with Europe. I like it. I love what I see here.

 

Grounding and Stillness

On a personal side, when life grows loud, what restores your sense of calm?

I think for me it’s very simple: I need coffee. When I was in Germany, or still sometimes when I go back, after every meal we have an espresso or cappuccino. So, it was very nice, a siesta time. And classic music. I’m very into classic music. It gives me a very calm feeling.

Is there a scent, sound, or place that always feels like home to you – something that reconnects you to yourself?

I think home for me can be anywhere. Mostly, it depends on the people who are around me. If I have my family with me, we can be in any country and it still feels like home.

Food — Arab food, somehow, feels like home.

Nature too. I’m deeply connected to nature, so that is home as well.

And my piano. It is a very good listener. I can learn a lot from it. The way I come to my piano — whether with emotion or expectation — it gives back to me right away. It makes me feel comfortable, and in that sense, it also feels like home.

 

Legacy and Essence

What does being an inspiration mean to you?

If there’s someone who really gets inspired by me, I hope that person takes something home: fearlessness, not being afraid of trying something, making big choices in life and having a deeper understanding of the nature and what I want to represent. And enjoying life in every way. It does not only through art but can be from anything else.

If your art had a scent, one that carries your story what would it smell like,
and what feeling would it leave behind?

I think it would smell like after a very heavy storm, the rain. When the earth is wet and after that the blue sky appears, the silence and the calm. And maybe there’s some flowers, probably jasmine, which I like a lot, just spread the smell and giving you a good sense of life.

“If someone is inspired by my work, I hope they take one thing home: the courage to be fearless, to make bold choices, and to live with a deeper understanding of nature and themselves.”

 

Unfolding Continues

Nabil’s journey is a reminder that creation is not only about expression, but about presence — in the world, in nature, and in one another. Through color, silence, and story, he invites us to see differently, to feel more deeply, and to move through life with greater awareness.

Unfold continues — through every artist, every story, and every quiet act of becoming.
And through every journey still in motion. Join Bentala’s Unfold campaign and share your story of growth, change, and becoming.

See more of Unfold Stories here