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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Showing 125 of 125 biographies

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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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Hassan Fathy

Delve into the life and works of Egyptian architect, story writer, teacher, and theorist Hassan Fathy in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Clare Davies
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Abdallah Benanteur

Read about Algerian painter Abdallah Benanteur in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Emma Chubb
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Manal AlDowayan

Delve into the life and work of Saudi artist Manal AlDowayan in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Ghadeer Sadeq
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Ahmed Mater

Learn about Saudi artist Ahmed Mater's journey from medicine to art in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Ghadeer Sadeq
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Yousef Ahmad

Read about artist Yousef Ahmad, a pioneering figure of modern and contemporary art in Qatar, in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.
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Laurent Marcel Salinas

Delve into the life and work of prominent Egyptian artist Laurent Marcel Salinas in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Clare Davies
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Philippe Mourani

Explore the life and work of Lebanese painter Phillippe Mourani in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Marie Tomb
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Habib Serour

Read about Lebanese painter and portraitist Habib Serour in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Marie Tomb
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Ahmad Nawash

Delve into the life and work of Palestinian-Jordanian artist Ahmad Nawash in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Ala Younis
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Ahmed Nawar

Explore the life and works of Egyptian painter, sculptor, and printmaker, Ahmed Nawar in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Sarah Dwider
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Nouri al-Rawi

Explore the life and work of Iraqi visual artist and influential critic Nouri al-Rawi in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Zouina Ait Slimani
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Rafa Nasiri

Read this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry to explore the life and works of Iraqi painter Rafa Nasiri.

By Ala Younis
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Thuraya Al-Baqsami

Explore the life and work of Kuwaiti artist, writer, and printmaker Thuraya Al-Baqsami in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Olga Nefedova
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Rachid Koraichi

Delve into the life and work of multidisciplinary Algerian artist Rachid Koraichi in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Holiday Powers
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Ziad Dalloul

Read about the life and works of prominent Syrian artist Ziad Dalloul in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Mathilde Ayoub

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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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Anahi Alviso-Marino

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

Get to know Aparna Andhare, an art historian, curator, and writer, whose ongoing project is committed to interpreting historical art forms.

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Notes for an Autobiography Dia al-Azzawi

By Dia al-Azzawi

Delve into this foundational text by legendary Iraqi artist Dia al-Azzawi reflecting on his work and life journey from Baghdad to exile in London.

Notes On Weaving

Read this essay by curator Mouna Mekouar reflecting on how art bridges diverse cultures and redefines itself across different spaces and times.

Saliba Douaihy: Autobiography and Artistic Views

By Badr el-Hage

Badr El-Hage, co-founder of Lebanon's Nabu Museum, tells of his conversations with the late, and extraordinary, Lebanese artist Saliba Douaihy in this retelling.

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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