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 120 of 120 biographies

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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
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Dia al-Azzawi

Delve into the life and works of inimitable Iraqi artist Dia al-Azzawi, pioneer of the 'daftar' art form, in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Saleem Al-Bahloly
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George Daoud Corm

Explore the life and work of Lebanese visual artist and writer, George Daoud Corm, in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Sarah Rogers

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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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