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| Wael Shawky |
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Born in 1971, Wael Shawky Lives and works in Alexandria, Egypt.
In his installations, videos, photographs, and performances, Wael Shawky tackles uncomfortable issues. His most recent work deals with the dichotomies and contradictions of social norms, primarily relating to culture and religion. Possessing an acute sense of the absurd, he raises questions about what is generally perceived as “normal” and “acceptable.” Within this context, Shawky has explored a variety of specific themes that are often rooted in regional issues yet have profound international relevance - themes such as modernization, cultural hybridization, and marginalization. “In most of my work I have been aiming to construct a hybridized society. A system of a society in transition, a condition that is not clear, a translation. I see my role as that of the translators- this translation is heightened the closer I come to a system of an actually existing society.” (From a text by William Wells)
Shawky completed his BFA at the University of Alexandria, followed by an MFA at the University of Pennsylvania in 2000. He has received many awards for his work, including: The International Commissioning Grant, The 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. Solo exhibitions include: The Green Land Circus, The Townhouse, Cairo, 2005; Losing Identity, Ludwigsburg Kunstverein, Ludwigsburg, Germany, 2005; Sidi El Asphalt's Moulid 2001 and Asphalt Quarter (representation) 2003 at The Townhouse, Cairo. He has participated in many group exhibitions, among others: Choosing My Religion, Kunstmuseum Thun, Switzerland, 2006; October Art Salon Belgrade, Serbia, 2006; Stile der stadt, Grosse Bergstrasse, Altona, Hamburg, Germany, 2006; 9th International Istanbul Biennial, Istanbul, 2005; Urban Realities, Focus Istanbul, Martin-Gropius-Bau, Berlin, Germany, 2005; Normalization, Platform Garanti CAC, Istanbul, 2005; Mediterraneans,The Museum of Modern Art Rome (MACRO), Italy, 2004; The 50th Venice Biennial, Venice, 2003. In 2008 Shawky is participating in the Seventh SITE Santa Fe Biennial and in Scenes du Sud II, at the Carré d'Art – Musée d'Art Contemporain, Nimes, France. |
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