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 125 of 125 biographies

TBC

Hashim Samarchi

Explore this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry about Hashim Samarchi, a pioneering figure in Iraqi graphic art and design.

By Mysa Kafil-Hussain
tbc

Laurent Marcel Salinas

Delve into the life and work of prominent Egyptian artist Laurent Marcel Salinas in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Clare Davies
tbc

Hamed Said

Find out about the extraordinary life and work of intellectual and teacher, Egyptian artist Hamed Said, in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Clare Davies
tbc

Mahmoud Sabri

Delve into the life and career of Iraqi artist and intellectual Mahmoud Sabri in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Amin Alsaden
tbc

Atta Sabri

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

By Tiffany Floyd
tbc

Khadiga Riaz

Find out more about Khadiga Riaz, a central figure in Egypt's first wave of painterly abstraction, in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Clare Davies
tbc

Mohammed Ben Ali Rbati

Delve into this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry about Mohammed Ben Ali Rbati, one of the earliest modern Moroccan painters.

By Holiday Powers
tbc

Sayed Haider Raza

Read about Sayed Haider Raza, one of India’s most important modernist painters, in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Aparna Andhare
tbc

Nouri al-Rawi

Explore the life and work of Iraqi visual artist and influential critic Nouri al-Rawi in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Zouina Ait Slimani
tbc

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
tbc

Samir Rafi

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

By Mehri Khalil
tbc

Ahmed Maher Raef

Explore this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry about influential Egyptian avant-garde artist Ahmed Maher Raef.

By Clare Davies
tbc

Mohammed Racim

Read about Mohammed Racim, considered one of the first Algerian painters, in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Emma Chubb
tbc

Khalifa Qattan

Explore the life and work of pioneering Kuwaiti artist Khalifa Qattan in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Anahi Alviso-Marino
tbc

Hamed Owais

Read about Hamed Owais, a leading painter of Egyptian social realism, in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.

By Nadia Radwan
TBC

Farah Oussouli

Read about Iranian artist Farah Oussouli, known for her work centred around illustrated manuscripts, traditional Persian miniature paintings, and classical literature.

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

Anahi Alviso-Marino

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

Aparna Andhare

Get to know Aparna Andhare, an art historian, curator, and writer, whose ongoing project is committed to interpreting historical art forms.

You May Also Like

Read all essays

Notes for an Autobiography Dia al-Azzawi

By Dia al-Azzawi

Delve into this foundational text by legendary Iraqi artist Dia al-Azzawi reflecting on his work and life journey from Baghdad to exile in London.

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

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.

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.