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
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Mohammed Ghani Hikmat

Explore Mohammed Ghani Hikmat's beginnings and works in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry about the undeniable Iraqi artist.

By Tiffany Floyd

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Elias Zayat

Delve into the life and works of prominent Syrian artist and art restorer Elias Zayat in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Mathilde Ayoub

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Laila Muraywid

Read about multidisciplinary Syrian artist Laila Muraywid's life and inspirations in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Mathilde Ayoub

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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.

By Alex Dika Seggerman

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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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Samir Rafi

Delve into the world of prominent Egyptian artist Samir Rafi in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Mehri Khalil

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Atta Sabri

Delve into this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry about pioneer of modern Iraqi art Atta Sabri.

By Tiffany Floyd

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​​​​​​Sliman Mansour

Explore the life and work of legendary Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Sarah Rogers

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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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Mohammad Ismail Gulgee

Explore the life and works of self-taught Pakistani artist Mohammad Ismail Gulgee in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Samina Iqbal

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Ragheb Ayad

Explore the life and work of prominent Egyptian painter, the late Ragheb Ayad in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Nadia Radwan

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Jilali Gharbaoui

Delve into the bold life and work of late artist Jilali Gharbaoui, considered one of the founders of modernism in Morocco.

By Holiday Powers

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Faiq Hassan

Faiq Hassan, the father of Iraqi modern art, was known for his representations of the Iraqi working class. Read more in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Tiffany Floyd

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Yahia Turki

Take a deep dive into the life and work of Yahia Turki, a pivotal figure in the world of Tunisian art, in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Joan Grandjean

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Jamil Hamoudi

Discover the work and life of Iraqi painter, sculptor, poet, writer, and art critic, the late Jamil Hamoudi.

By Zouina Ait Slimani

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Abdul Qadir al-Rassam

Delve into the work of realist Abdul Qadir al-Rassam, part of the first generation of Iraqi modern painters, in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Tiffany Floyd