Ali (Abdelbagi) Shahto
Born Sudan, 1959
Lives and works in Zurich, Switzerland.
Started painting and graphic design in 1981. After a self-imposed exile to Switzerland in 1995, he started working volunteering as lawyer for Christian Solidarity International, and representative of Sudanese liberation Movement. Simultaneously revisited his art practice. Shahto's work is based on some of the old historical samples and findings of the Sudanese ancient Kingdoms, Meroë Kingdom and Kush Kingdom. He believes it is vital to highlight the importance in meaning of the symbols from the ancient kingdoms that also have been used in old Sudanese writings. Shahto focuses on cultural aspects that make use of traditional aspects of Kush Sudan cultures. He combines ancient samples and artefacts with contemporary materials in order to blur the boundary between “traditional” and “contemporary”. Shahto aims to explore the traditional Sudanese motives role in contemporary art. For example, the role of these traditions in weddings, healing the sick and grieving as well as use in the economical and political life as seen in social group settings in the crop fields during cultivation season. Shahto uses old cultural symbols to which he has a strong emotional and cultural connection to, which can be witnessed in his work. Shahto’s work looks at the way African Sudanese identities create a new a cultural objective.
Exhibitions
2020
Helmhaus Museum, Zurich- group exhibition
2019
Galerie Le Sud, Zurich - Solo exhibition
2016
Galerie Le Sud, Zurich, Switzerland
1999 – 2014
Galerie Cafe Rorboz-kultur am wildbach an der Töss
2013 - 2014
Oct Restaurant Braueri Pfaffikon-ZH
2013
Rorbas Cafe & Coulter, Zurich.
2013
Galeri Rsheid Diyab Center, Sudan
2005 - 2013
Restaurant Rempe Popikon -War in Darfur –Sudan
2003
Galerie der Erde, Arabic-Swiss Cultural Centre, Zürich
2000
Galerie der Erde, Arabic-Swiss Cultural Centre, Zürich
2000
Galerie Delphine, Zurich
1999
Galerie der Erde, Arabic-Swiss Cultural Centre, Zürich
1999
Amani Gallery, Stutgart
1999
Galerie Delphine, Zürich,Switzerland
1997
Restaurant Sonne, Uster
1997
Galerie Art N (group exhibition)
1997
Sokoto Gallery, New York
1995
Alliance Française
1990
The Goethe Institute, Khartoum
1990
German School, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
1990
Greek School, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
1989
Art Exhibitions at the French Cultural Centre in Khartoum.
1987
College of Fine & Applied Arts, Khartoum Polytechnic, Sudan
1986
Meridian, Khartoum, Sudan
1985
Hilton Khartoum, Sudan
Liberated Land, Eritrea
Education
International Relations, Geneva School of Diplomacy. L.L.M. PHD
International Legal-study American University DC 2005. (MA)
International Business Law, Zürich University, Switzerland 2000. .L.L.M (MA)
Higher Diploma in International Relations, University of Khartoum, 1994.
Sudan Bar Association Certificate, 1993.
L.L.B., Cairo University, Khartoum Branch, 1987.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A) College of Fine & Applied Art, Khartoum Polytechnic 1985.