Biography

Working with drawing that is transformed by text, installation, photography or video, Ali Eyal’s practice examines feelings of absence and dissonance in response to armed conflict. Profoundly shaped by his upbringing during the Occupation of Iraq, a period of immense political unrest and human loss, his works are complex, hallucinatory narratives populated with spectres, survivors and mythic intermediaries. Navigating personal and collective histories, Eyal strives to make sense of a personal history marked by the shattering of both home and heritage.

His solo exhibitions include In the Head's Dusk, SAW Gallery, Ottawa (2022–2023) and In the Head's Sunrise, Brief Histories, New York (2022–2023). Eyal has also participated in a number of group exhibitions, including the 58th Carnegie International, Pittsburgh, USA (2022); documenta 15, Kassel (2022); How to maneuver: Shape-shifting texts and other publishing tactics, isdaT — Institute of arts and design of Toulouse, France (2022); This Is Not Lebanon, Künstlerhaus Mousonturm, Germany (2021); Kuratorische Mitarbeit: Friederike Kötter, Frankfurt (2021); HANDS, Akademie der Künste der Welt, Germany (2021); and How to reappear: Through the quivering leaves of independent publishing, MMAG Foundation, Amman (2020).

His video works have been screened at several exhibitions and festivals, including the Rencontres Internationales, Paris (2019); VITRINE x Kino Screenings, London (2019); Sharjah Film Platform (2019); Immaterial Collection Forum IV: States of Being, Beirut Art Center (2018); and Cairo Video Festival, Medrar, Cairo (2013).

He studied at the Institute of Fine Arts, Baghdad (2011–2015) and HWP/Home Workspace, Independent Study Program, Ashkal Alwan, Beirut (2016–2017).

Born in 1994 in Baghdad, Eyal currently lives and works in Los Angeles.

SAF participation:
Sharjah Biennial 15 (2023)
Sharjah Film Platform (2019)

Related Content