The Nja Mahdaoui Foundation, in collaboration with the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation (BFAF), presents a landmark exhibition celebrating the extraordinary artistic legacy of Nja Mahdaoui (b. 1937) and his remarkable 60-year journey, from his first solo show in Tunis in 1965 to the present day.
Set within the distinguished architecture of the BFAF, this focused retrospective honors one of the foremost figures of Arab modern art and invites us to revisit his pioneering approach to calligraphic abstraction.
Deeply rooted in the Arab-Islamic culture, Mahdaoui transcends Arabic calligraphy into a visual and abstract contemporary art form to create a universal platform for intercultural dialogue and shared consciousness. His abstract use of Arabic calligraphy has succeeded in opening a new aesthetic world in both East and West and continues to influence generations of artists.
Co-curated by Dr Micheala Watrelot, Head Curator and Director of Exhibitions at Bassam Freiha Art Foundation and Molka Mahdaoui, President of the Nja Mahdaoui Foundation, the exhibition surveys over six decades of artistic practice by the Tunisian master, offering a rare and intimate look into the evolution of his work.
Presented in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s cultural district, the exhibition also reflects Nja Mahdaoui’s long-standing connection with the UAE, from presiding the 1990 Visual Arts Annual Exhibition jury at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, to his recent 2023 live performance with Naseer Shamma at Louvre Abu Dhabi, produced by the the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre.
On this special occasion, the Nja Mahdaoui Foundation is proud to announce the launch of the first-ever catalogue raisonné project dedicated to a Tunisian artist, to be published by Rizzoli. This scholarly and archival endeavor will document the entirety of Mahdaoui’s oeuvre and serve as a lasting reference for future generations.
This exhibition is both a celebration and a new beginning, a defining milestone in our mission to preserve and disseminate Nja Mahdaoui’s legacy, ensuring his art continues to inspire, transcend boundaries, and resonate across cultures and time.