From exile in Egypt, the Sudanese artist mixes earthly symbolism with activist portraits to evoke freedom and challenge injustice
Hashim Nasr is a self-taught visual artist whose work delves into themes of heritage, identity and society. Born in 1990 in Khartoum, Sudan, his journey from dentistry graduate to acclaimed artist based in Alexandria, Egypt, is marked by his exploration of the subconscious through avant-garde photography, informed by his Sudanese heritage. “To truly establish a robust foundation for self-expression, I needed to draw inspiration from my roots,” he explains.
This connection to his homeland became particularly poignant as he navigated the shifting political climate of Sudan, using his lens to document its upheavals and narratives from within. The December 2018 revolution in Sudan marked a pivotal moment in Nasr’s practice, shaping his perception of the power of imagery in documenting resistance and resilience. In the absence of extensive media coverage, photography emerged as a critical tool for capturing the struggles and aspirations of the Sudanese people, and Nasr’s work became a reflection of these turbulent times and a nation in flux.
