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.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Clear

Showing 10 of 140 biographies

tbc

Brahim Dhahak

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

By Beya Othmani
tbc

Ziad Dalloul

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

By Mathilde Ayoub
tbc

Nejad Melih Devrim

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

By Dr Necmi Sönmez
tbc

Salem Al-Dabbagh

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

Hafidh al-Droubi

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

By Tiffany Floyd
TBC

Ayesha Mariam Durrani

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

By Samina Iqbal
tbc

Mohamed Drissi

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

By Tina Barouti
tbc

Abidin Dino

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

By Deniz Artun
tbc

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
tbc

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

Meet the Authors

See All Authors
tbc

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.
tbc

Brahim Alaoui

Find out more about art historian, curator, and artistic director Brahim Alaoui in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.
TBC

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.
tbc

Anahi Alviso-Marino

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

You May Also Like

Read all essays

Photos from Baghdad: Notes on the First National Art Exhibition for Arab Women Artists, 1980

By Lina Ramadan

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

By Shuddhabrata Sengupta

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

By Dr. Nada Shabout

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

About the Encyclopedia

Main Page

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

Image Rights & Reproduction

Learn more about requesting images from the Mathaf Encyclopedia and guidelines for reproduction and copyright.