Biography
Nabil Saouabi was born in Jendouba, Tunisia, in 1970. He earned a master’s degree in Visual Arts in 2002 and a PhD in Science and Technical Arts in 2013 from the Institute of Fine Arts in Tunis, where he later teaches drawing and oversees the print workshop. Since his first solo exhibition, he has participated in numerous exhibitions both in Tunisia and internationally, including biennials such as Dak’art, Beijing, and the 5th International Biennial of Engraving of Île de France. His works are featured in prestigious private collections in Tunisia, France, Germany, and the Middle East, as well as in public collections such as Tunisia’s Ministry of Culture.
Since 2001, Nabil Saouabi has created an imaginary world where a central character—a prehistoric man assuming the role of a painter—constantly appears in his drawings, paintings, and engravings. This world, which oscillates between external and internal settings (his studio), provides a dramatic dimension to his art. In 2011, he shifted to a new pictorial approach, exploring contemporary political events through iconic “political” images. In 2014, his exhibition “Sleeper(s) Awake” at the El Marsa Gallery explored the power of political imagery, blending autobiographical painting with theatrical elements to depict the relationship between the artist and his surrounding worldHis work reflects the modern history of the Arab world, portraying the tragic reality that would remain indecipherable without artistic expression.
Artwork