347 - Moataz Nasr Eldin, Egyptian (B. 1961- )

Moataz Nasr Eldin, Egyptian (B. 1961- ) The Insecure Series Stamped by the artist in red block print (lower right) Handmade sun print on paper 72 x 100 cm (paper size) Provenance: Sultan Gallery, Kuwait. Acquired from the above by the present owner, 2008. In The Insecure Series, Moataz Nasr Eldin utilizes a unique yet traditional printing technique, known as ‘Van Dyke’ or ‘Sun Print’. Paper is treated with a special emulsion, covered with the negative, and then exposed in the sun. The result is an image like the present lot, where the artist captures the faces of passing individuals through reflections in water, in a rich sepia-like tone. Moataz Nasr Eldin is an Egyptian painter, sculptor, multimedia artist and cultural activist. Whilst not originally educated in art, but rather economics, he was considered to be an ‘outsider’ when he first entered his work into the Egyptian Ministry of Culture’s competition in 1995 and received third prize. His lack of artistic training proved to be an advantage as his work became shaped by societal observation and intellectual inquiry, incorporating themes such as social upheaval, identity and memory into his practice. Nasr first reached the international stage in 2001 when he won the Grand Prix at the 8th International Cairo Biennial, launching him into global exhibitions including the Venice, Seoul, São Paulo, and Bogotá biennials, and represented Egypt at the 57th Venice Biennale in 2017.