Alaeldin Abdelrazig Abdelrahaman Salih

Alaa Eldin Abdalrazig Abdalrahman Salih is a Sudanese visual artist born on November 5, 1969, in the city of Rabak, Sudan. He graduated from the Sudan University of Science and Technology in 1994, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from the College of Fine and Applied Arts. Throughout his career, Alaa Eldin has participated in numerous exhibitions, showcasing his commitment to addressing social and human rights issues through his art. His early works gained recognition during his graduation exhibition in April 1995, where he focused on themes of human rights, a subject that remained central to his artistic vision. In 1998, he exhibited at the United Nations Exhibition and the Khartoum International Exhibition, both of which highlighted his dedication to human rights advocacy.

In 2007, he participated in a large collective exhibition organized by the General Union of Sudanese Visual Artists at the Khartoum International Exhibition. His work was also featured in the “Art du Agbet” exhibition, coordinated with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and the third edition of the Cairo Neighborhood Exhibition. Most recently, in 2024, he contributed to a collective exhibition at the “Art Family Intercontinental” event in Nasr City. In 2009, Alaa Eldin made the difficult decision to boycott all participation in art exhibitions and cultural activities. This protest was a response to the political climate under the regime of Omar al-Bashir, whose rule from 1989 to 2019 had caused severe deterioration in Sudan’s political, social, economic, and cultural spheres. He expressed deep sorrow over the regime’s oppressive policies, which he believed had devastated all aspects of Sudanese life.

Since then, Alaa Eldin has limited his artistic presence to social media platforms, using them as a space to share his work and ideas. He remains steadfast in his refusal to engage in any activities organized by the political institutions of that era, viewing such participation as a form of legitimization for the regime’s policies. His boycott extends to all cultural activities, which he believes were complicit in supporting the oppressive system that dominated Sudan’s cultural landscape for three decades. Alaa Eldin’s art and activism reflect his unwavering commitment to justice, human rights, and the preservation of Sudan’s cultural heritage. Through his work, he continues to inspire and challenge audiences, ensuring that the voices of the oppressed are heard and remembered.