Khaled Zaki

B. 1964

 

Sculptor Khaled Zaki is known for his pivotal role in shaping modernist sculpture in the Middle East. His works, typically in bronze and stone, glide between abstract and figurative forms.

 

Though he is one of the most prominent contemporary Egyptian artists, Zaki did not plan to study art —he had intended to pursue a career in business before discovering his affinity for sculpture. Zaki received the majority of his artistic training in Italy, reinforced by his experience assisting a variety of artists; he has also received mentorship from key figures in art including Zakaria Al Khonani and Aida Abdel Karim. Zaki's early career saw the artist produce classically informed and representational figures. More recently, his works have become more abstract and geometric in form, but still feature human and animal subjects, sometimes fused with plant-like or fantastical forms.

 

Zaki holds a Masters in Restoration from the Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo University. He studied Sculpture at the Al Khonaini Museum of Art, Giza, Egypt before moving to Italy in 1988 to train in the use of stone and bronze in the studios and workshops of Pietrasanta. Zaki was selected to represent Egypt at the 55th Venice Biennale (2013). His works have been collected by institutions internationally including by the British Museum. Zaki became the first foreign winner of Italy’s Pietrasanta Painting Prize (1989) and won a competition for the design and execution of a monumental sculpture in Galaa Square, Cairo (2000). In 2015 he received the International Artist prize from Art Taipei, Taiwan.

 

EDUCATION
Zaki holds a Masters in Restoration from the Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo University. He studied Sculpture at the Al Khonaini Museum of Art, Giza, Egypt before moving to Italy in 1988 to train in the use of stone and bronze in the studios and workshops of Pietrasanta.

 

SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2021, Ressurection Among The People,, Ubuntu Art Gallery, Egypt

2018, Resurrection, Tabari Artspace, Dubai, UAE
2016, Hymns of Gold, Tabari Artspace, Dubai, UAE
2014, The Wind of January, Tabari Artspace, Dubai, UAE
2014, Khaled Zaki Solo, Heist London, London, UK
2014, Khaled Zaki Solo, Gallery Misr, Cairo, Egypt
2002, Khaled Zaki Solo, Gezirah Art Centre, Cairo, Egypt
2002, Khaled Zaki Solo, Safar Khan, Cairo, Egypt

 

GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2020, 2023, The Egyptian Museum of Fine Arts

2019, Reflections: Contemporary Art of The Middle East, British Museum


BIENNIALS
2022, Dakar Biennale

2017, 7th Beijing International Biennale
2013, Egyptian Pavillion, Venice Biennale, Italy

ART FAIRS
2019, 1:54, Tabari Artspace, London, UK
2015, Abu Dhabi Art, Tabari Artspace, Abu Dhabi, UAE

AWARDS AND RESIDENCIES
1989, Zaki became the first foreign winner of Italy’s Pietrasanta Painting Prize
2000, Awarded competition for the design and execution of a monumental sculpture in Galaa Square, Cairo 2015, International Artist prize from Art Taipei, Taiwan


SELECTED COLLECTIONS
The British Museum

The Egyptian Museum for Modern Art, Cairo

The Egyptian Museum for Modern Sculpture, Aswan

 

SELECTED PRESS

2018, Anna Seaman, Khaled Zaki's Sculptural Rebirth

2016, The Culture Trip, Egyptian Mosaics Adorn the Venice Biennale’s Encyclopaedic Palace