Wael Shawky
Artist
Biography
Egyptian artist Wael Shawky uses a range of media to produce work that explores issues of religion, culture and the effects of globalization on society today.
In photographs, installations, videos and performances Shawky mines traditions of entertainment and performance in multi-layered reconstructions and retellings of history that force viewers to navigate the territory of truth, myth, stereotype and cliché. Shawky sees himself as a translator of the hybridized society we live in with its shifting rules and barriers and the clashing of indigenous cultures and contemporary life.
In Disorientation II, Shawky’s video installation Telematch Sadat, 2007 offers a re-staging of the assassination of former Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. Other recent work includes Cabaret Crusades: The Horror Show File (2010) a retelling of events during the Crusades, enacted by traditional Piedmontese marionettes, and Cave (2004) a filmed performance by Shawky who wanders the aisles of a supermarket as he recites from memory a Surah from the Koran that tells the story of the Cave of the Seven Sleepers.
Born in 1971, Shawky completed a BFA at The University of Alexandria, followed by an MFA at the University of Pennsylvania in 2000. His work has featured in international solo exhibitions including at Cittadellarte-Fondazione Pistoletto, Biella, Italy (2010), the Townhouse Gallery, Cairo (2008), KVS, Brussels (2007), Galeria Sztuki Wspolczesnej, Bunkier Sztukim, Krakow (2007), Ludwigsburg Kunstverein, Germany (2005), and in group shows at Queens Museum of Art , New York (2009), Schunck-Glaspaleis, Heerlen (2009), Santa Fe Biennial (2008), Musée d'Art Contemporain de Nîmes (2008), Riwaq Biennale, Palestine (2007), Moscow Biennale (2007), Istanbul Biennial (2005), and the Venice Biennale (2003).
Born in 1971, Shawky completed a BFA at The University of Alexandria, followed by an MFA at the University of Pennsylvania in 2000. His work has featured in international solo exhibitions including at Cittadellarte-Fondazione Pistoletto, Biella, Italy (2010), the Townhouse Gallery, Cairo (2008), KVS, Brussels (2007), Galeria Sztuki Wspolczesnej, Bunkier Sztukim, Krakow (2007), Ludwigsburg Kunstverein, Germany (2005), and in group shows at Queens Museum of Art , New York (2009), Schunck-Glaspaleis, Heerlen (2009), Santa Fe Biennial (2008), Musée d'Art Contemporain de Nîmes (2008), Riwaq Biennale, Palestine (2007), Moscow Biennale (2007), Istanbul Biennial (2005), and the Venice Biennale (2003).
Awards received include: the International Commissioning Grant, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, New York (2005), The International Award of The Islamic World Arts Initiative, Arts International, New York (2004), The American Center Foundation Grant, Philadelphia (2004), Honorary Award, Rita Longa International Symposium, Bayamo, Cuba (2001), and The Grand Nile Prize, Cairo Biennial (1996). Shawky lives and works in Alexandria.
October 2010
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21.11.09 – 20.02.10
Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi
