“The International is a nomadic wanderer, on land and in mind”
- Name: Nicolas Moufarrege
- Born: 1947
- Died: 1985
- From: Alexandria, Egypt, to Lebanese parents
- Pronouns: He/him
- Contribution/Impact: Artist, curator, critic. He made embroidered paintings and tapestries that drew from many sources- classical sculpture, comic book heroes, Arabic calligraphy, pop art, and baroque paintings. He wrote for magazines such as New York Native, and Arts Magazine, and became an important figure in the East village arts. His work is based on war, migration, and his identity as a gay man and offers looks into a ‘transnational’ identity as well as his lifestyle. His art didn’t make distinction between east and west, which opened up a new narrative in art about transnational identities and art.
- Occupation: Artist, curator, critic.
- Known For: Known for art that displayed transnational awareness/his experiences with war and being a gay man. He had multiple exhibitions in New York as well as Beirut.
- Interesting Fact: After Harvard, he went to Beirut, Lebanon to have his first solo exhibition of tapestries in 1973. When the Labanese war started, he went to Paris to get work in the Mathaf gallery in London. He moved to New York in 1981.
Nicolas Moufarrrege was an Egypt born artist, curator, and critic. His artwork was made of a mix of embroidery and painting techniques that embodied his experiences with war, a transnational identity, and his life as a queer man. His work drew from multiple cultural sources, such as classical sculpture, comic book heroes, Arabic calligraphy, pop art, and baroque paintings. His choice of subject and lack of distinction between east and west opened up a new avenue in art about transnational identities as well as the perception of embroidery as a feminine task.
Handout
To download the Handout:
- Click on the image
- Right-click and select Save Image As…
- Decorate and personalize the empty space in the image.
- Cut out and use for a selfie to share on our social media page.
- Download a card and envelope template and write about an idea this leader inspires.
- Check out The Attic for more resources and events for Philadelphia’s LGBT+ youth!
This ASI Special event is an ongoing volunteer-led project made by people like you, using multiple educational sources regularly being revised and updated. We would love your assistance if you or your group would like to get involved, learn more here.