المدونة

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.

In the heart of Khartoum, a burgeoning art scene thrived, born from the hope of a recent revolution. But on April 15, 2023, the city’s vibrant cultural pulse was shattered by the eruption of a civil war. This is the story of a workshop that was abruptly halted, of artists forced to flee their homes and studios, and of their unwavering resilience. Through writing, music, and visual art, they are not only coping with displacement but also documenting the raw, human experience of a city in conflict, holding onto the hope that a new artistic revolution might one day rise from the ashes.

Khartoum-based visual artist and architect Reem Aljeally’s exhibition, “Middle Voids,” is a visually seductive show that beautifully explores the connection between physical space and artistic creation. Featuring over 32 various-sized acrylic paintings, the work uses bold figuration, vivid colors, and thoughtful installations to articulate the spirit of her new studio, while also drawing inspiration from masters like Otto Dix and Frida Kahlo.

Sudanese visual artist and dentist Hashim Nasr explores the “Magic of conceptual art” through fine art photography and installation. His work, which blends minimalism with abstraction, often uses his hands and body to create radical, thought-provoking compositions. The article examines his process, including projects like “Locked Out Of Space-time,” where he challenges viewers to question social structures and engage with themes of spirituality and nostalgia.

Khartoum-based artist Khalid Abdalrahman revitalizes the traditional landscape genre with his vibrant, contemporary style, often referred to as “magical realism.” His paintings use vivid, bold colors and simple forms to explore the narrative potential of urban architecture and the collective memory of his city. Abdalrahman’s deeply personal work, created from raw material collected during long walks, examines his relationship with Khartoum, unified by a distinctive yellow skyline and the complete absence of human figures.

Despite facing male dominance in business, this article highlights four magnificent women leading ventures in the Sudanese art and design scene: Sondos Siddig (Sondos Art Studio), Nisreen Kuku (KUKU GALLERY), Ola Hashim (Colors Services), and Sara Karrar (Albaranda Interior Design). These entrepreneurs are driving impact and creativity across fields like painting, jewellery design, digital marketing, and interior architecture.

“Daughter of the Nile,” the debut short film by South Sudanese-Australian artist Akelo A. Costa, is a powerful visual expression of her poetry. The film intimately explores universal themes of identity, diaspora, and the search for home, recounting Akelo’s personal memories of growing up between Sudan, Egypt, and Australia. The visuals and poetry combine to create an emotional narrative about culture, family, and the complexity of belonging.

This essay analyzes the “musical attempts” of Lebanese phenomenon Ziad Al-Rahbani, exploring his complex perspective on life, war, and love. Al-Rahbani’s music acts as a “sensory translation of the resistance movement” in Lebanon, using dark comedy, sarcasm, and profound musical structures—often compared to Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique—to blend political reality, civil war, and psychological despair with the persistent human search for romance and hope.

The Dara Art Gallery, originally founded in 1999 by renowned Sudanese artist Dr. Rashid Diab, is undergoing a major rebirth. Reopening under new management and curated by Yafil Mubarak, the gallery launched with an exhibition of Diib’s archived works, particularly highlighting his intricate printmaking (etching) techniques from the 1980s and 90s. The gallery’s renewed mission is to expand its focus, include more contemporary Sudanese artists, and firmly place Sudanese art on the global map.