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.
Showing 5 of 135 biographies
Abdel Hadi El-Gazzar
Read about artist Abdel Hadi El-Gazzar's short but prolific career as a leader of postwar Egyptian painting in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.
Mohammad Ismail Gulgee
Explore the life and works of self-taught Pakistani artist Mohammad Ismail Gulgee in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.
Jilali Gharbaoui
Delve into the bold life and work of late artist Jilali Gharbaoui, considered one of the founders of modernism in Morocco.
Cesar Gemayel
Delve into the life and work of Cesar Gemayel, a pioneer of Lebanese modernism, in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.
Paul Guiragossian
Read this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry about one of the region's most celebrated artists, Paul Guiragossian.
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.
Brahim Alaoui
Find out more about art historian, curator, and artistic director Brahim Alaoui in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.
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.
Anahi Alviso-Marino
Explore the work of multifaceted political scientist Anahi Alviso-Marino, including varied multimedia research-creation contributions.
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
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
Explore this essay by researcher, museum director and juror Brahim Alaoui about the life, work and genius of Moroccan painter Ahmed Cherkaoui.