Ibrahim El-Salahi
Sudan | Painting, Drawing
Integrating Arabic calligraphy with modernist abstraction.
Exhibitions
Ibrahim El-Salahi: A Visionary Modernist
2013 - Tate Modern, London, UK
A major retrospective that highlighted El-Salahi's role as a pioneering figure in African modernism, featuring works spanning five decades that explore the intersection of African, Arab, and Western artistic traditions.
The Khartoum School: The Making of the Modern Art Movement in Sudan (1945–Present)
2016 - Sharjah Art Foundation, UAE
Group exhibition that explored the influential Khartoum School, with El-Salahi’s work showcasing the synthesis of Islamic, African, and Western artistic elements that characterized this movement.
Art from the Islamic World: Ibrahim El-Salahi
1984 - The British Museum, London, UK
Early exhibition focusing on El-Salahi’s contributions to modern Islamic art, highlighting his unique blend of calligraphy, abstraction, and figuration.
Postwar: Art Between the Pacific and the Atlantic, 1945-1965
2016 - Haus der Kunst, Munich, Germany
A landmark group exhibition that positioned El-Salahi within the global postwar art context, emphasizing his role in shaping modern art in Africa and beyond.
Ibrahim El-Salahi: Prison Notebook
2018 - The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York, USA
Focused on a significant work created during El-Salahi's imprisonment in Sudan, this exhibition offered insights into his deeply personal and political art practice, blending text and imagery to document his experience.
Sudan: Emergence of Singularities
2017 - Dakar Biennale, Senegal
Group exhibition featuring El-Salahi's work among other Sudanese artists, exploring the development of modern and contemporary art in Sudan, with an emphasis on innovation and the blending of cultural influences.
"Ibrahim El-Salahi: A Visionary Modernist"
2013 - Tate Modern, London, UK
A major retrospective exhibition that highlighted El-Salahi’s contributions to modern art, particularly in the context of African modernism. The exhibition showcased his unique blend of Islamic, African, and Western art traditions, emphasizing his role as a pioneer in Sudanese and African art.
"Prison Notebook"
2016 - The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York, USA
This exhibition focused on El-Salahi’s drawings made during his imprisonment in Sudan, showcasing his introspective and contemplative works that reflect on his experiences and the broader socio-political context of the time.
"Africa Remix: Contemporary Art of a Continent"
2005 - Centre Pompidou, Paris, France
Group exhibition that included El-Salahi’s work among other leading African artists, celebrating the diversity and richness of contemporary African art. His contributions reflected his exploration of identity, history, and cultural synthesis.
"Ibrahim El-Salahi: The Tree"
2018 - Prince Claus Fund Gallery, Amsterdam, Netherlands
A solo exhibition that focused on El-Salahi’s recurring motif of the tree, symbolizing life, growth, and connection. The works explored the spiritual and symbolic significance of the tree in different cultures, blending abstract and figurative elements.
"Revolutions: Records and Rebels"
2016 - Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK
Group exhibition that explored the social and cultural revolutions of the 1960s and 70s. El-Salahi’s work was featured to highlight the role of African artists in global movements for change and their contributions to modern art.
"Ibrahim El-Salahi: Meditation Tree"
2020 - Vigo Gallery, London, UK
A solo exhibition that presented new works by El-Salahi, continuing his exploration of the tree motif as a central theme. The exhibition emphasized his ongoing engagement with themes of spirituality, nature, and the human condition through his abstract style.