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 9 of 120 biographies

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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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Nejad Melih Devrim

Explore the life and work of legacy Turkish artist Nejad Melih Devrim in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Dr Necmi Sönmez
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Salem Al-Dabbagh

Read about influential Iraqi artist Salem al-Dabbagh in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.
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Hafidh al-Droubi

Read about pioneering Iraqi modern artist and pivotal educator Hafidh al-Droubi in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Tiffany Floyd
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Ayesha Mariam Durrani

Learn about Pakistani painter Ayesha Mariam Durrani and explore her artistic journey in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Samina Iqbal
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Mohamed Drissi

Read about influential Moroccan artist Mohamed Drissi and the creativity behind his groundbreaking works.

By Tina Barouti
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Abidin Dino

Read about versatile Turkish artist Abidin Dino's beginnings and career in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Deniz Artun
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Mohanna Durra

Discover the life and career of Mohanna Durra, a pioneer of Jordan's modern art movement, in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Sarah Rogers
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Burhan Dogancay

Explore the works of Turkish artist Burhan Doğançay, which capture human emotions on urban surfaces, in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Dr Necmi Sönmez

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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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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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Deniz Artun

Learn about Deniz Artun, a writer and curator recognised by the French Republic for her contributions to Turkish-French artistic and cultural exchange.
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Nour Asalia

Learn about Nour Asalia, a Syrian artist, researcher, and scholar whose writings focus on modern and contemporary Syrian art.

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Notes On Weaving

By Mouna Mekouar

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.

Ahmed Cherkaoui: Decode his Memory

By Brahim Alaoui

Explore this essay by researcher, museum director and juror Brahim Alaoui about the life, work and genius of Moroccan painter Ahmed Cherkaoui.

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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