Artists' Biographies

Featuring the lives behind the art, these biographies highlight the voices and practices of artists who have shaped modern and contemporary art in the SWANA region. Through concise, research-driven portraits, each entry offers key insights into the artist’s life and practice, enriching the understanding of the region’s evolving artistic landscape.
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Jewad Selim

Explore the life and work of celebrated Iraqi painter and sculptor Jewad Selim in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Zaineb Jewad Selim
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Lorna Selim

Delve into the life and work of English artist and educator Lorna Beryl Selim in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Miriam Jewad Selim
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Najat Makki

Explore this Mathaf Encyclopedia about Emirati visual multidisciplinary artist Najat Makki.

By Sophie Kazan Makhlouf
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Nja Mahdaoui

Delve into the life and work of renowned Tunisian visual artist and calligrapher Nja Mahdaoui in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Rachida Triki
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Hédi Turki

Read about the life and work of Tunisian visual artist and educator Hédi Turki in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Beya Othmani and Mohamed-Ali Berhouma
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Samia Halaby

Delve into this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry about Palestinian-American painter, digital artist, educator, and writer Samia Halaby.

By Nadia Radwan
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Brahim Dhahak

Explore the life and work of Tunisian painter, printmaker, and mosaic artist Brahim Dhahak in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Beya Othmani
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Mohammed AlSaleem

Learn more about Saudi Arabian artist and pioneer of Saudi's modern art movement, Mohammed AlSaleem, in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Ghadeer Sadeq
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Elie Kanaan

Read about Lebanese artist Elie Kanaan, a key figure Lebanese lyrical abstraction, in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Marie Tomb
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Adham Ismail

Delve into the life and work of Syrian painter Adham Ismail, in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Mathilde Ayoub
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Abdul Qader Al Rais

Dive into this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry about Abdul Qader Al Rais, a foundational figure in the art history of the United Arab Emirates.

By Sophie Kazan Makhlouf
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Abdeljabar Alyahya

Read about the life and work of artist, writer, translator, and art critic Abdeljabar Alyahya in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Ghadeer Sadeq
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Farid Aouad

Explore the life and work of Lebanese painter Farid Aouad in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Marie Tomb
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Sami Mohammad

Explore Sami Mohammad's artistic contributions, a significant chapter in Kuwait’s art history, in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Zahra A. Hussein Ali
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Fuad al-Futaih

Read about Fuad al-Futaih, one of Yemen's pioneering figures of modern visual art, in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Anahi Alviso-Marino
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Khalifa Qattan

Explore the life and work of pioneering Kuwaiti artist Khalifa Qattan in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Anahi Alviso-Marino

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Nancy Adajania

Learn about the curatorial journey of Nancy Adajania and her exhibitions including one that showcased the first-ever mapping the women’s movement in India.
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Brahim Alaoui

Find out more about art historian, curator, and artistic director Brahim Alaoui in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.
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Zahra A. Hussein Ali

Discover the work of Zahra A. Hussein Ali, whose research explores comparative literature and visual culture, in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.
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Anahi Alviso-Marino

Explore the work of multifaceted political scientist Anahi Alviso-Marino, including varied multimedia research-creation contributions.

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Delve into this essay by researcher and curator Lina Ramadan reconstructing the overlooked history of the First National Art Exhibition for Arab Women Artists in Baghdad.

Tomorrows Ripen Today

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Read this essay exploring how human history, technology, and art connect across time to keep the world alive and moving.

Jewad Selim: On Abstraction and Symbolism

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Discover the world of modern artist and sculptor Jewad Selim and his work exploring symbolism, abstraction and historical roots.

About the Encyclopedia

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Explore the Mathaf Encyclopedia of Modern and Contemporary Arab Art. Discover artist biographies, essays, and scholarly insights.

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