Born in Cairo in 1996, Mahmoud Talaat is an Egyptian visual artist who graduated from the Department of Painting at Helwan University’s Faculty of Fine Arts in 2020. He began drawing and taking photographs at a young age and worked as a photojournalist for Al-Shorouk newspaper in 2019, before devoting himself fully to his artistic practice. His work explores themes of identity, roots, and origin, while reflecting on memories of people and places that have profoundly impacted his life.
Statement
Mahmoud Talaat incorporates multiple dimensions and layers into his work by combining elements of photography and painting—either directly or through thematic influence—and draws inspiration from daily life, the city’s fabric, and human experiences.
“I create several dimensions in my work. Like the soul, I count dimensions, including the conceptual, the ambiguous, and the explicit, whether moral or material. I express these within the artwork through what I photograph—places or elements—and draw on them, or use the image itself to build other dimensions. My creative practice and daily experiences are intertwined, and my mind is always preoccupied with them. I wonder how I can transform them into a visual experience to express my reflection on a specific incident or moment. This process allows me to explore how my feelings and emotions—often unclear—shape the visual image and influence my palette choice.”
Exhibitions
2025
-‘Man Passes There through Forests of Symbols’ Second Solo exhibition at Ubuntu Art Gallery, Cairo, Egypt.
-SARD Exhibition, sixth edition, From Cairo Photo Week.
2023
-ArtX Lagos, 2023, representing North Africa in the Art Across Borders project sponsored by AFREXIMBANK.
-Something else III, Citadel, Cairo, Egypt
-Roznama Group exhibition, Cairo, Egypt
-REA art fair, Milan, Italy
-REM (Solo), Ubuntu Gallery, Cairo
-Farouk Hosni Competition and Exhibition, Cairo
2021
-SHUFFLE Group Exhibition, Ubuntu Art Gallery
-6 Bab Sharjah, Dubai
-BLUE, Arcade Gallery
-Grain Exhibition on Cairo Photo Week
2020
-Black and White Exhibition
-Best Press Photo Exhibition
-Dai Exhibition
2019
-Photography exhibition, the Islamic Museum
-Group exhibition, Townhouse gallery
-Group exhibition (visual records), the main hall of the Faculty of Fine Arts
Awards
2025
-A grant presented by the European Union in collaboration with EUNIC Egypt from Cairo Photo Week SARD IV Exhibition
-A grant presented by the European Union in collaboration with EUNIC Egypt from Cairo Photo Week SARD IV Exhibition
2023
-Residency at the Leipzig International Art program, Prize from the Goethe Institute at the Roznama competition
Experiences
2020
-A Seminar-Workshop in Documentary-Photojournalism At VII Academy With Aly Arkady
Experiences
2020
-A Seminar-Workshop in Documentary-Photojournalism At VII Academy With Aly Arkady