Wael Shawky, an artist hailing from Alexandria, will represent Egypt at the 60th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia. Commissioned by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture – Accademia d’Egitto, the Egyptian Pavilion is supported by various galleries and sponsors. Concurrently with the Biennale Arte 2024, Shawky’s 2023 film “I Am Hymns of the New Temples” will be showcased in a solo exhibition at Museo di Palazzo Grimani.
Known for his storytelling, Shawky intertwines historical and literary references to craft immersive narratives that blur the lines between fable, fact, and fiction, addressing concepts of national, religious, and artistic identity. His diverse body of work, spanning film, performance, painting, drawing, and sculpture, reimagines contemporary culture through the prism of historical events and traditions.
Courtesy the artist, Sfeir-Semler Gallery, Lisson Gallery, Lia Rumma, Barakat Contemporary
For the Egyptian Pavilion, Shawky presents “Drama 1882,” a filmed adaptation of an original musical play he directed, choreographed, and composed. The piece revolves around Egypt’s nationalist Urabi revolution against imperial influence in 1879-82, notably crushed by the British in 1882, who then occupied Egypt until 1956.
Inspired by the Biennale Arte 2024 theme “Foreigners Everywhere,” Shawky delves into the discourse surrounding the Urabi revolution, questioning the notion of foreigners and occupiers. Sung in classical Arabic by professional performers, “Drama 1882” marks a departure for Shawky, incorporating elements of drama and spectacle into his typically puppet-centric works.
The film is accompanied by vitrines, sculptures, paintings, drawings, and a mirror relief crafted in Murano. Shawky’s decision to represent Egypt at this pivotal moment underscores the urgency of global political change, offering a reflection on Egypt’s historical occupation in a timely and significant manner.
Courtesy the artist, Sfeir-Semler Gallery, Lisson Gallery, Lia Rumma, Barakat Contemporary
About Wael Shawky
Wael Shawky’s research informs his exploration of national, religious, and artistic identities through film, performance, and storytelling. From orchestrating a heavy metal concert in a remote Egyptian village to instructing Bedouin children in desert runway construction, Shawky juxtaposes contemporary culture with historical tradition. His trilogy of puppet-based films, “Cabaret Crusades,” reimagines medieval clashes between Muslims and Christians, while “Al Araba Al Madfuna” employs child actors to recount poetic myths. Born in Alexandria in 1971, Shawky’s works have been showcased globally, from the Louvre Abu Dhabi to MoMA P.S.1, earning him prestigious awards like the Mario Merz Prize and the Abraaj Capital Art Prize. He founded the educational space MASS Alexandria in 2010.
Location: Giardini, Venice, Italy.
Dates: April 20 to November 24, 2024.