Profile
Ibrahim El-Salahi is a painter based in the United Kingdom. Ibrahim's journey in art led him to integrate Arabic calligraphy into modernist paintings, developing a unique style within the Hurufiyya art movement. This movement aimed to create a modern Sudanese aesthetic that diverged from Western influences, emphasizing the incorporation of Islamic calligraphy and African motifs. His work, characterized by the interplay of calligraphy with organic forms, reflects a connection to his Islamic roots and Sudanese culture. El-Salahi's art transcends simple visual appreciation, often involving symbols and imagery that explore themes of spirituality, identity, and the human condition.During his experience with incarceration in the 1970s under Sudan's military dictatorship, he produced the "Prison Notebook," a collection of drawings and prose that capture his reflections. This work, along with others such as "The Arab Spring Notebook" and "Life Diary," illustrates El-Salahi's ability to navigate personal and collective narratives through art. His recognition includes a solo show at the Tate Modern in 2013, marking him as the first African artist to receive a full retrospective at the institution. El-Salahi's exhibitions, like "Alhambra" at Salon 94, New York, and his series of works at The Armory Show showcase his contributions to the discourse of modernism and cultural identity.
