Egyptian artist Doa Aly has been shortlisted for the 9th Abraaj Group Art Prize, earning her a cash prize and a place in the group exhibition at Art Dubai next March, which will also be complemented by a catalogue curated by Omar Berrada. Funded by the leading private equity investor, Abraaj Group, the Art Prize supports and showcases exceptional talents emerging in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. The annual award supports artists from the region by giving them the opportunity to work with international curators and to actualise their artistic visions. Four Egyptian artists were awarded the Abraaj Group Art Prize over the past years: Bassem Magdy in 2014, Iman Issa in 2013, Wael Shawky in 2012 and Hala El-Koussy in 2011. Doaa Aly is represented by Cairo's Gypsum Gallery. This marks the fourth consecutive year for an artist from Gypsum to be on the prize's list since the gallery opened in 2013: Bassem Magdy won the award in 2014, and Setareh Shahbazi and Mahmoud Khaled were shortlisted for the award in 2015 and 2016. Born in Cairo in 1976, Aly holds a BFA in painting from the Faculty of Fine Arts in Cairo (2001). In a recently issued press release, Gypsum Gallery describes the themes in Aly's work as tracing "characters whose constant struggle for effectiveness lead to an ambiguous state," mostly through video and performance. Aly has been exhibiting her work locally and internationally since 2006. Her previous exhibits include “Sounds As If” at D-CAF Festival in Cairo in 2016, “Nemocentric” at Charim Gallery in Vienna in 2016, “Dancing Light” at Huis Marseille Museum of Photography in Amsterdam in 2014, and “The Ungovernables” at the New Museum of New York City in 2012. This is in addition to shows held in London, Brussels, Istanbul, Beirut, and Warsaw. The Abraaj Group Art Prize seeks mid-career artists that have participated in exhibitions and received critical acclaim. Selected artists are expected to have a number of significant works and to have demonstrated development and progression. Artists submit project proposals to be considered for the award. Winning artists receive commissions which they use to produce their projects in time for an exhibition held at the annual art fair, Art Dubai. For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture
