Birth Year
Country of birth
Country of residence
1981
Egypt
UK
A largely self-taught, emerging artist, Mo Negm (aka mo*star art) is a British-Egyptian whose imaginative paintings have been described as “documentary impressionism” / Confident, gestural, searching brushstrokes and mark-making / Love of art derived from his Graphic Designer Egyptian father, himself and twin brother grew up drawing, surrounded by pen and paper / The first painter to be interviewed on BBC World News’ Impact, with his Egypt revolution inspired paintings projected as the News Studio background / Live painting for Dulux and Amnesty International / A versatile expressive painter, his artwork speaks about socio-political, human issues, recently inspired by events in the Middle East, his heritage, and a lifetime of learning Arabic/
Solo Exhibitions:
2020
– "Pictures Reimagined" – solo exhibition – P21 Gallery, London (dates tbc).
2019
– "Picture Fragments" – solo exhibition – The Curve Gallery and Cultural Centre, Berkshire.
2016
– "Emotive Memories" – Rich Mix Gallery, London, UK (first solo exhibition, curated by Arts Canteen).
Selected Group Exhibitions:
2019
– "Prime" (Open Studios – Windsor Art Trail, Lemonade Gallery, Windsor, UK.
2018
– "Selfie", Candid Arts Trust, London, UK.
– "Liminality", The Locale – Cass, Glasgow, UK.
– Prime, Lemonade Gallery, Windsor, UK.
– Open Studios, Prime, Windsor, UK.
2016
– "The Key" – Riverside Church, New York City, USA (travelling exhibition).
– "The Key" – Nile Gallery, Cairo, Egypt.
– "The Key" – St James's Church, London, UK.
2015
– “Where Have You Been”, Core @ Nolia’s Gallery, London.
– “Like”, ArtSpace, London.
2014
– "Reflections on Traditionalism and Heritage" – Grosvenor Marriot, London.
– "Faites Vos Jeux" – Espacio Gallery, London.
2013
– “Crossways / Al Multaqa” at Nour Festival of Arts – Leighton House Museum, London
– An Exhibition Dedicated to The Children of Egypt – Egyptian Cultural Centre.
– Arab Youth Symposium – The Iraqi Cultural Centre, London
– Kaleidoscope – Espacio Gallery, London
2012
– Digital Sizzle – Whitechapel Gallery, London
– Dahab International Art Festival – Underwater Artists
– Amnesty International, Human Rights Revolution – Trafalgar Square Live Painting
– “Rise”, Core @ Nolia’s Gallery, London.
– Music for Children – The Tabernacle, Notting Hill, London
– Eclectica – Espacio Gallery, London
– Transformations – Espacio Gallery, London
2011
– Urban Dialogues – Red Gallery, Shoreditch, London. Artist's talk also.
– Dulux ‘Let’s Colour’. Live public painting and exhibition, Westfield, London
– Cuts – University of London Night of the Arts
– Ideas Bank, Slough
2010
– Relay – Core Gallery, Deptford London
– Opening – Hatch Space Gallery, Deptford London
– Barriers and Bridges – Candid Arts Gallery, London
– Ideas Bank, Slough. Artist’s Talk also.
– Draw a Smile for a Child, City of London School Theatre
2009
– Artifice – at Bash, Shoreditch London
– Walou 09, Exhibition and Auction – at Blackhall Studios, Shoreditch London
– Ideas Bank, Slough. Artist’s Talk also
– Muju Upstarts Festival – Tricycle Theatre, Kilburn London
– Colours of Asia, auction towards humanitarian aid – Mayfair Hotel, London
– Art of Arabia – Queen Mary's University Art Exhibition, London
2008
– Kensington Olympia Expo, Young British Muslim Artists – London
– Walou 08, Exhibition and Auction – Islington Arts Factory, London
– Emerald 50 – Empress State Building, Earls Court London
2007
– Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art, Paintings on the railings
– Merchant Square – Glasgow
Press, publications and recognition:
2016 - Al Jazeera News, feature artist's interview.
2016 - Al Ghad Al Araby - Live newsfeed of Emotive Memories solo exhibition.
2015 – Al Arte Magazine, featured interview piece.
2013 – BBC World News, featured Interview live on "Impact" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9h7rmrYIm0
2012 – Aslan Media, featured Interview piece (http://aslanmedia.com/arts-culture/mideast-art/707-like-a-phoenix-rising-from-the-flames-artist-mohamed-negm-and-the-arab-spring).
2012 – Ahram Online, featured Interview piece
2011 – Art of England Magazine (Nov), Bikya Masr (Nov), Arab News (Nov)
2010 – Emel Magazine, November issue
2009 – "City of Minarets II" voted (by the Scottish public) for the SFI's 2010 Calendar
My art is inspired by identity, socio-political events, and engaging with new experiences. As a young artist of Arab heritage, many natural inspirations add to the western influence I can draw on, through my lens as a British Egyptian. I find expression through my background, as an Egyptian, which offers many experiences to inform my art, and to encounter and challenge my identity through contemplation of issues I find myself thinking of. I enjoy the element of discovery when painting, experimenting with techniques, and sometimes giving the paint freedom to choose its own paths.
In recent years, I have felt impassioned, and my art has served to document my feelings throughout the seismic changes in Egypt and the Middle East, painting many pictures drawn from my emotive response.