I Am Hymns of the New Temples, 2023, Single-channel 4K video, color, sound, 55' 00", Courtesy of Daegu Art Museum
The Daegu Art Museum proudly presents Wael Shawky: 2024 International Exchange Exhibition, showcasing the work of renowned Egyptian artist Wael Shawky. Running from September 10, 2024, to February 23, 2025, this marks Shawky’s first solo exhibition at a Korean public museum. With three video installations and approximately 70 additional works, including sculptures and drawings, the exhibition delves into Shawky’s unique exploration of mythology, history, and cultural identity.
Wael Shawky, born in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1971, is celebrated for his thought-provoking artworks that blend storytelling, film, and performance. Educated at Alexandria University and the University of Pennsylvania, Shawky draws inspiration from his upbringing in Alexandria and Mecca, where he observed the transition from nomadic to modernized societies. His international acclaim includes a recent appearance at the Egyptian Pavilion of the 60th Venice Biennale, where his work Drama 1882 reinterpreted Egypt’s Urabi Revolution.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Daegu Art Museum
At the Daegu Art Museum, Shawky’s exhibition includes three pivotal video works: Love Story (2024), Al Araba Al Madfuna I (2012), and I Am Hymns of the New Temples (2023). These pieces examine the interplay between material and metaphysical worlds, using mythological narratives from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Love Story, Shawky’s latest creation, reimagines Korean oral folktales, including Silkworm Princess, Gold Ax, Silver Ax, and The Rabbit’s Trial. The video combines traditional pansori storytelling with lion dancing, exploring how love—a metaphysical concept—manifests in the material world. This innovative audiovisual experience exemplifies Shawky’s skill in bridging cultural narratives.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Daegu Art Museum
Al Araba Al Madfuna I, named after an Egyptian village, weaves personal experiences with mythology and modern Egyptian society. The 20-minute black-and-white video, first created in 2012, begins with serene imagery of the Nile and develops into a satirical commentary on how the metaphysical and material worlds intertwine.
I Am Hymns of the New Temples focuses on the ancient Italian city of Pompeii, connecting Greco-Roman mythology with Egyptian religious practices. Using the myth of Io—a priestess loved by Zeus and transformed into a cow—Shawky explores the overlapping cultural influences of Greece, Rome, and Egypt. The work culminates in a poignant meditation on the silence of origins, capturing the inevitability of cultural convergence.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Daegu Art Museum
Through these works, Shawky examines the relationship between mythology and history, questioning the reliability of historical narratives. By deconstructing myths and reinterpreting their roles in shaping cultural and religious identities, Shawky invites viewers to reconsider the "truths" we accept and explore the multiplicity of historical perspectives.
Shawky’s time in Korea since 2022, spent researching and filming Love Story, adds a layer of authenticity and cultural depth to the exhibition. The showcase also includes new drawings inspired by Love Story, offering visitors a rare glimpse into his creative process.
This exhibition, a blend of video, literature, and performance, is a profound exploration of the intersection of ancient and modern worlds. Daegu Art Museum invites all to experience Shawky’s artistic vision, which connects diverse cultures and opens doors to new interpretations of history and mythology.
The poster of the exhibition, Courtesy of Daegu Art Museum
Sayart / Nao Yim, yimnao@naver.com
I Am Hymns of the New Temples, 2023, Single-channel 4K video, color, sound, 55' 00", Courtesy of Daegu Art Museum
The Daegu Art Museum proudly presents Wael Shawky: 2024 International Exchange Exhibition, showcasing the work of renowned Egyptian artist Wael Shawky. Running from September 10, 2024, to February 23, 2025, this marks Shawky’s first solo exhibition at a Korean public museum. With three video installations and approximately 70 additional works, including sculptures and drawings, the exhibition delves into Shawky’s unique exploration of mythology, history, and cultural identity.
Wael Shawky, born in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1971, is celebrated for his thought-provoking artworks that blend storytelling, film, and performance. Educated at Alexandria University and the University of Pennsylvania, Shawky draws inspiration from his upbringing in Alexandria and Mecca, where he observed the transition from nomadic to modernized societies. His international acclaim includes a recent appearance at the Egyptian Pavilion of the 60th Venice Biennale, where his work Drama 1882 reinterpreted Egypt’s Urabi Revolution.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Daegu Art Museum
At the Daegu Art Museum, Shawky’s exhibition includes three pivotal video works: Love Story (2024), Al Araba Al Madfuna I (2012), and I Am Hymns of the New Temples (2023). These pieces examine the interplay between material and metaphysical worlds, using mythological narratives from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Love Story, Shawky’s latest creation, reimagines Korean oral folktales, including Silkworm Princess, Gold Ax, Silver Ax, and The Rabbit’s Trial. The video combines traditional pansori storytelling with lion dancing, exploring how love—a metaphysical concept—manifests in the material world. This innovative audiovisual experience exemplifies Shawky’s skill in bridging cultural narratives.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Daegu Art Museum
Al Araba Al Madfuna I, named after an Egyptian village, weaves personal experiences with mythology and modern Egyptian society. The 20-minute black-and-white video, first created in 2012, begins with serene imagery of the Nile and develops into a satirical commentary on how the metaphysical and material worlds intertwine.
I Am Hymns of the New Temples focuses on the ancient Italian city of Pompeii, connecting Greco-Roman mythology with Egyptian religious practices. Using the myth of Io—a priestess loved by Zeus and transformed into a cow—Shawky explores the overlapping cultural influences of Greece, Rome, and Egypt. The work culminates in a poignant meditation on the silence of origins, capturing the inevitability of cultural convergence.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Daegu Art Museum
Through these works, Shawky examines the relationship between mythology and history, questioning the reliability of historical narratives. By deconstructing myths and reinterpreting their roles in shaping cultural and religious identities, Shawky invites viewers to reconsider the "truths" we accept and explore the multiplicity of historical perspectives.
Shawky’s time in Korea since 2022, spent researching and filming Love Story, adds a layer of authenticity and cultural depth to the exhibition. The showcase also includes new drawings inspired by Love Story, offering visitors a rare glimpse into his creative process.
This exhibition, a blend of video, literature, and performance, is a profound exploration of the intersection of ancient and modern worlds. Daegu Art Museum invites all to experience Shawky’s artistic vision, which connects diverse cultures and opens doors to new interpretations of history and mythology.
The poster of the exhibition, Courtesy of Daegu Art Museum
