B. 1978
For Nasser Al Aswadi, calligraphy is a way to express feelings and thoughts beyond the realm of written language. He breathes new meaning into Arabic lettering, words and forms, as well as spiritual and musical sources, melding them with myriad influences from journeys to rural landscapes, architecture, and chaotic public streets. From these influences, Al Aswadi then creates both two-dimensional canvases and sculptural works. Letters and words are not drawn out in their typical sequence, laid out upon a straight line, instead, they are artfully painted and stacked separately, tangled and lost in an imaginary space. Al Aswadi's interlocking letters form a new visual language, the artist has exhausted the traditional styles of Arabic writing to create a new world in which his work touches the edges of abstraction.
Al Aswadi studied architecture in Taiz and Sanaa. He held his first exhibition in Sanaa in 2001 and has since shown his work extensively in Europe and the Middle East, with solo exhibitions including at the French Cultural Center, Sanaa (2004–2014); the Embassy of Yemen, Paris, France (2005); the House Of International Relations, Montpellier, France (2006), Palace Zappeion, Athens, Greece (2010); Dar Al Fonon Art Gallery, Kuwait (2015) and Tabari Artspace, Dubai (2017).
Al Aswadi has also exhibited at Gallery Patrick Bartoli, Marseille, France (2012) Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris (2013) and Clairefontaine Art Gallery, Luxembourg (2015). His work is included in publications by Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris and Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2018, Hope, Dar Al Fonon Art Gallery, Kuwait
2017, Open Horizons, Tabari Artspace, Dubai
2016, "Messages" Aramco House Old Town, Jeddah
2016, Pro Art Gallery, Dubai
2015, Dar Al Fonon Art Gallery, Kuwait
2014, Jamm Art Gallery, Dubai
2014, French Cultural Center, Sanaa
2012, Gallery Patrick Bartoli, Marseille
2011, La Citerne, Les Baux De Provence
2010, Palace Zappeion, Athenes
2010, French Cultural Center Sanaa with Yemeni Poet Al-Maqaleh
2008, French Cultural Center, Sanaa
2006, House of International Relations, Montpellier
2006, German House for Cooperation And Culture, Sanaa
2005, Embassy of Yemen In Paris During The Foreign Cultural Week, Paris
2004, French Cultural Center Henry De Monfred, Sanaa
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2014, Ramart Istanbul, Islamic And Turkish Art Museum, Istanbul
2018, Infinite Present, Cambridge Galley, Boston Massachusetts
2018, Donation Claude & France Lemand, Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris
2017, 30th Anniversary of The Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris
5th Anniversary of The Museum's reopening with New Hanging
2015, Clairefontaine Art Gallery, Luxembourg
2014, British Council Workshop, Cairo
2014, International Festival of Contemporary Art Alpilles Provence "A-Part"
2013, Workshop of British Council, Mascat
2013, Exhibition & Auction, Bonhams, London
2013, Exhibition & Auction For "Syriart" Arab World Institute, Paris
2012, Gallery Patrick Bartoli, Marseille
2012, "Traits D’union, Paris Et L’art Contemporain Arabe", Sanaa National Museum, Sanaa
2011, International Festival of Alpilles Provence Contemporary Art.
2009, Workshop at French Cultural Center And Exhibition at National Museum with Artist Alfons Alt, Sanaa
2008, German House for Cooperation & Culture, Sanaa
2008, "Bab Al Mandab from The Other Side" Workshop & Exhibition at French Cultural Center, Sanaa
2004, Embassy of The USA, Sanaa
2003, German House for Culture & Cooperation, Sanaa
2003, "Bab Al-Yemen" Workshop & Exhibition in coordination with French & German Artists, Sanaa
2003, French Cultural Center, Sanaa
2001, French NGO DIA, Sanaa
SELECTED PRESS
2020, Arab News, Paris art collector holds charity auction for the Institut du Monde Arabe
N/D, Contemporary Practices, Interview With Nasser Al Aswadi