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The Muse Magazine’s latest issue, “On Borders and Intersections,” explores the expanding world of Sudanese visual arts across the Arab and African regions. The issue focuses on how Sudanese art is evolving as artists disperse and engage with new scenes in countries like Egypt, Kenya, and the UAE. It features critical essays and personal stories that highlight both the historical presence of Sudanese masters and the contemporary integration of artists into new communities, all while reframing the conversation around Sudanese art and its diaspora

2204 year end review

The Muse Magazine’s second issue, with the theme “Documentation and Archiving,” focuses on the importance of preserving artworks and cultural heritage, particularly in the context of war and displacement. It also explores the role of artists in archiving their own works and features interviews with key figures in the field.

In an interview, visual artist Mustafa Hussein Salem discusses his artistic journey, from his upbringing in Tokar and Suakin to his time at the College of Fine Arts and his experiences in various cities in Sudan. He also shares insights into his creative process and his connection to the city of Suakin.

The article “Manifestations of Displacement in the Literature of Imagery” explores how the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has significantly affected young artists from Khartoum. These artists are using their art as a political tool and a means of survival and documentation, as they are forced to deal with the psychological and physical impacts of displacement.

Authored by Mozafar Ramadan, this article examines the history of artistic institutions in Sudan and the complex interplay between art, politics, and social change, especially in the context of the December 2018 revolution. It critically analyzes how Western concepts have been adopted by the Sudanese educated elite and discusses the origins of “modern” plastic arts in Sudan, tracing them back to British colonial influence.

The article “The Muse in 2023, The year of turbulence and resilience” reflects on how the war in Khartoum impacted The Muse organization, leading to the loss of their headquarters. Despite the challenges, the organization members managed to save the institution and continued their work, shifting their focus to the future and establishing new alliances.

In this article, author Hassan Alnasir draws a parallel between the Palestinian Nakba of 1948 and the displacement of people from Khartoum during the war that began in April 2023. The article explores the concept of “recurrent loss” and how the experience of leaving Khartoum with the expectation of a quick return mirrors the experience of Palestinians during the Nakba.