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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Marwan Kassab-Bachi

Learn more about activist and artist Marwan Kassab-Bachi in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry about the late Syrian painter.

By ​​​​​Charlotte Bank
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Amal Kenawy

Read about Egyptian visual artist Amal Kenawy's career and untimely passing in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Clare Davies
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Ahmed Khan

Learn about designer and modernist painter Ahmed Khan and explore his artistic contributions in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Samina Iqbal
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Unver Shafi Khan

Discover contemporary artist Unver Shafi Khan and explore his innovative works in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Samina Iqbal

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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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Record, or Arab Art Again

By Dr Nada Shabout

Delve into this essay exploring Arab identity, politics and their intersection with modern Arab art, as a reflection on Mathaf's inaugural exhibition Sajjil: A Century of Modern Art.

Salim al-Dabbagh: Eloquence of Silence

By May Muzaffar

Delve into the life, work and inspirations of undeniable Iraqi artist Salim al-Dabbagh through this essay, penned by poet and writer May Muzaffar.

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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