Fathi Hassan's 'I can see you smiling Fatma' Explores Nubian Heritage at Richard Saltoun

Fathi Hassan's solo exhibition 'I can see you smiling Fatma' at Richard Saltoun Gallery in London (ended 25 May) delves into displacement, identity, and belonging. The show marks Hassan's representation by the gallery and features mixed-media works combining collage, acrylic, pencil, glitter, and gold leaf. Born in Cairo in 1957 to Nubian and Egyptian parents, Hassan's work is deeply influenced by the displacement of his ancestors after the construction of the Aswan High Dam in 1952. Works like 'Toshk and Aswan' (2012) and 'Terhaqa' (2023) reference Nubian history and visual motifs, including boats, earthenware, and hieroglyphic-style symbols. Unintelligible inscriptions based on Kufic calligraphy challenge fixed notions of language and heritage. A site-specific wall commission features chaotic calligraphic script, emphasizing the slipperiness of language. The exhibition is dedicated to Hassan's mother, Fatma, and includes works like 'Beyond the Garden' (2023) and 'Secret Container' (2013), which use collage and palimpsest-like layering. Hassan's themes will be further explored in 'Fathi Hassan: Shifting Sands' at No.9 Cork Street from 31 May to 15 June 2024.