Moataz Nasr
Born in Alexandrie (Egypt), 1956. Lives in Cairo, Egypte.
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.
Recently, his work has been exhibited as solo show Mind the gap (VOICE gallery, Marrakech, Morocco, 2019), Abu Dhabi Art 2018 Beyond (AAl Ain, bu Dhabi, UAE, 2018), The Mountains (Egypt Pavilion, 57th Venice Biennale, Venice, Italy, 2017), Avalanche (Galleria Continua, Les Moulins, Paris, France, 2016).
The most recent group shows include Yinchuan Biennale (China, 2018), the International Contemporary Art Exhibition (Yarevan, Armenia, 2018), Metropolis. Afriques Capitales (La Villette, Paris, 2017), Senses of Time: Video and Film-based Arts of Africa (LACMA and The Smithsonian National Museum of African Arts, Washinton, 2017), The See Is My Land (MAXXI, Rome, 2013).
