Ibrahim El Salahi

El-Salahi's artistic production unfolded in various phases, each mirroring the twists of his life. From elementary forms in the 1950s and 1960s to earthy tones reflecting Sudanese landscapes, his art transitioned into meditative, abstract compositions using warm, brilliant colors.

Throughout his career, El-Salahi's works have seamlessly blended Islamic calligraphy with African motifs, creating a unique aesthetic that transcends cultural boundaries. 

Biography of Ibrahim El-Salahi

Ibrahim El-Salahi, born in 1930, is a trailblazer in the world of contemporary African art. A distinguished figure associated with the Khartoum School, El-Salahi has left an indelible mark on the canvas of African Modernism and the pan-Arabic Hurufiyya art movement.

In the vibrant streets of El-Abbasyia, Omduran, Sudan, El-Salahi's artistic journey began within the walls of a Qur'anic school led by his father. His early exposure to Arabic calligraphy became a cornerstone of his work, intertwining traditional Islamic forms with modern artistic expression.

Educational pursuits took El-Salahi to the Gordon Memorial College, later the University of Khartoum, followed by a transformative period at the Slade School of Fine Art in London from 1954 to 1957. 

In 1962, he was awarded a UNESCO scholarship to pursue studies in the United States, during which he also visited South America. Returning to the US from 1964 to 1965 with the support of the Rockefeller Foundation, he subsequently led the Sudanese delegation during the inaugural World Festival of Black Arts in Dakar, Senegal, in 1966.

In 1975, he faced imprisonment for six months and eight days without trial, accused of participating in an anti-government coup. El-Salahi was released on 16 March 1976, and he chose not to retain any of the drawings he created during his time in prison; instead, he buried them all. Following this, he briefly rented a house in the Banat region of Omdurman. Two years after his release, he chose self-imposed exile from Sudan and spent some years working and living in Doha, Qatar, before eventually settling in Oxford, United Kingdom.