Location: Egypt
Moataz Nasr was born in 1961 in Alexandria (Egypt). He lives and works in Cairo. After studying economics, he decided to change direction and take a studio in Old Cairo. This self-taught artist gained local recognition marked by many prizes before breaking into the international art scene in 2001, notably winning the Grand Prix at the 8th International Cairo Biennial. Since, he has participated in large international gatherings like the Venice, Seoul and Sao Paulo biennials and exhibited in prestigious contemporary art venues. Today he is considered one of the greatest representatives of pan-Arab contemporary art.
Showing complex cultural processes currently underway in the Islamic world, his work surpasses idiosyncrasies and geographical limits and voices the worries and torments of the African continent. The feeling of belonging to a specific geopolitical and cultural context and the need to maintain a link with his homeland are key elements of the artist’s life and work. Art and life are inseparable for him. His childhood memories, frustrations and the society in which he is evolving seem to fuel his paintings, sculptures, videos and installations. His work concerns Egypt with its traditions, people, colours, without ever slipping into the exoticism or creating distance. It appears, on the contrary, close to everyone’s preoccupations. In fact, Egypt is just a background, a territory inhabited by human beings whose fragility is universal, as are indifference, powerlessness and solitude, weaknesses inherent in human nature.
2011
“The Maze (The People Want the Fall of the Regime)”
2011
Kufi caligraphy on grass site-specific project, Jardin des Tuileries, Paris, France (October 18 – 23, 2011)
28 x 28m
Courtesy GALLERIA CONTINUA, San Gimignano / Beijing / Le Moulin
Photo by Oak Taylor-Smith
“The Maze (The People Want the Fall of the Regime)”
2011
Kufi calligraphy on grass site-specific project, Château de Blandy-les-Tours, France
approx 1400 x 1800 cm
Courtesy GALLERIA CONTINUA, San Gimignano / Beijing / Le Moulin
Photo by Oak Taylor-Smith
2011
2011
7 towers; refractory clay: 175 x 49 x 49 cm and 172 x 38 x 38 cm; iron: 192 x 28 x 28cm; bronze: 190 x 35 x 35 cm; crystal: 173 x 33 x 33 and 212 x 41 x 41 cm; wood: 155 x 89 x 69 cm
Courtesy GALLERIA CONTINUA, San Gimignano / Beijing / Le Moulin
Photo by Ela Bialkowska
2012
2012
interactive site specific installation
840 x 1640 x 84 cm
Courtesy GALLERIA CONTINUA, San Gimignano / Beijing / Le Moulin
Photo by Oak Taylor-Smith
2012
interactive site specific installation
840 x 1640 x 84 cm
Courtesy GALLERIA CONTINUA, San Gimignano / Beijing / Le Moulin
Photo by Oak Taylor-Smith
2012
interactive site specific installation
840 x 1640 x 84 cm
Courtesy GALLERIA CONTINUA, San Gimignano / Beijing / Le Moulin
Photo by Oak Taylor-Smith
2011
2011
wood, light, crystal, variable dimensions;
sculpture with crystal: 260 x 565 x 565 cm
Courtesy GALLERIA CONTINUA, San Gimignano / Beijing / Le Moulin
Photo by Ela Bialkowska
2011
wood, light, crystal, variable dimensions;
sculpture with crystal: 260 x 565 x 565 cm
Courtesy GALLERIA CONTINUA, San Gimignano / Beijing / Le Moulin
Photo by Ela Bialkowska
2011
2011
alabaster
128 x 48 x 5 cm
Courtesy GALLERIA CONTINUA, San Gimignano / Beijing / Le Moulin
Photo by Ela Bialkowska
2009
2009
14000 matches on wood, Plexiglas
100 x 100 x 10 cm
Courtesy GALLERIA CONTINUA, San Gimignano / Beijing / Le Moulin
Photo by Ela Bialkowska
2011
2011
3 videos, 6’25” each, loop
Courtesy GALLERIA CONTINUA, San Gimignano / Beijing / Le Moulin
2008
2008
12.800 matches on wood, Plexiglas, video
160 x 160 x 8 cm each, loop, video
-video still-
Courtesy GALLERIA CONTINUA, San Gimignano / Beijing / Le Moulin
2011
2011
green neon
1200 cm
Courtesy GALLERIA CONTINUA, San Gimignano / Beijing / Le Moulin
Photo by Oak Taylor-Smith
“The Towers of Love”
“I am Free”
“I am Free”
“I am Free”
“Dome”
“Dome”
“Ya Wadod”
“Khayameya”
“Merge and Emerge”
“Under Fire”
“Ibn Arabi”
