Youssef Nabil
Zimbabwe | Painting, Sculpture
Known for his expressive, abstract works that often deal with the emotional and psychological aftermath of violence and conflict.
Exhibitions
"Youssef Nabil: I Saved My Belly Dancer"
2015 - The Third Line, Dubai, UAE
A solo exhibition featuring Nabil’s short film I Saved My Belly Dancer, starring Salma Hayek and Tahar Rahim, alongside a series of hand-painted photographs. The works explore themes of nostalgia, cultural identity, and the golden age of Egyptian cinema.
"Youssef Nabil: You Never Left"
2010 - Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Savannah, USA
A solo exhibition that presented a selection of Nabil’s iconic hand-painted photographs, reflecting his exploration of memory, exile, and the passage of time. The exhibition included portraits of international celebrities as well as intimate self-portraits.
"Youssef Nabil: Cinema"
2017 - Maison Européenne de la Photographie, Paris, France
A major solo exhibition that showcased Nabil’s fascination with the world of cinema and its influence on his work. The exhibition featured a wide range of his hand-painted photographs, highlighting his unique aesthetic that merges photography with traditional Egyptian painting techniques.
"Youssef Nabil: Once Upon a Dream"
2012 - Palazzo Grassi, Venice, Italy
Group exhibition where Nabil’s work was featured among other contemporary artists. His contributions included hand-painted photographs that evoke the nostalgia of classic Egyptian cinema and address themes of identity and longing.
"Endless, I Love You"
2019 - Nathalie Obadia Gallery, Paris, France
A solo exhibition showcasing Nabil’s recent works, focusing on his ongoing exploration of self-portraiture and his deep sense of nostalgia for a bygone era. The works in this exhibition continued his signature technique of hand-painting on silver gelatin prints.
"Arabian Nights"
2016 - Villa Medici, Rome, Italy
Group exhibition where Nabil’s work was included as part of a broader exploration of contemporary Arab art. His photographs in the exhibition highlighted the intersection of fantasy, memory, and cultural identity, using his distinctive hand-painting technique to create a dreamlike quality.