Moataz Nasr’s life reflects a journey of transformation and bold artistic vision. Born in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1961. He initially pursued a career in economics. Then, his true passion for art drew him to Cairo, where he set up a small studio in one of the city’s historic quarters. There, he began teaching himself to create art that deeply resonated with the complexities and rich culture of his homeland

Nasr’s work quickly gained recognition in Egypt, winning several prestigious awards, including the Grand Prix at the 8th International Cairo Biennial. This marked the start of his global career in 2001, leading to invitations to display his art at renowned biennials in Venice, Seoul, São Paulo, and Bogotá, and in galleries worldwide

Today, Nasr is celebrated as a major voice in pan-Arab contemporary art, known for his ability to capture the nuanced tensions and voices within African and Islamic worlds. Through paintings, sculptures, videos, and installations, he explores universal themes—identity, solitude, resilience—highlighting the shared vulnerabilities of human experience

The homeland and his art

Egypt remains at the heart of Nasr’s work, its people, colors, and cultural essence deeply woven into his creations. His art draws from these elements without falling into exoticism; rather, he uses Egypt as a grounding context to convey themes that are universally relatable, transcending geographical boundaries

Nasr’s influence extends well beyond his personal creations. In the early 2000s, he established Darb 1718, a contemporary art and culture center in Old Cairo that has since become a vital space for local artists. This independent venue hosts exhibitions, workshops, music events, and even alternative biennials, nurturing Cairo’s art community and fostering connections with the global art scene. One of its standout events, “Something Else,” ran as an alternative biennale from 2015 to 2018, bringing together artists from around the world in a thought-provoking showcase curated by Simon Njami alongside Nasr

Recently, Nasr has continued to engage on an international scale. Representing Egypt at the 2017 Venice Biennale, he showcased an installation featuring his celebrated film The Mountain, which later received an award at the AVIFF Art Film Festival in Cannes. He remains active across the UAE, with site-specific works and exhibitions in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai, captivating global audiences with his evolving artistic vision