Engy Mohsen Sarhan is an artist and curator who lives and works in Cairo.
Her work examines notions of ‘participation’ and ‘collectivity’ by creating frameworks that invite non-artists and artists to think about how spaces can be organized to include the ‘other’. While spatial thinking remains at the core of her interdisciplinary practice, she works—solo and collaboratively—with text, drawing, photography, performance, and conversation as a medium. Mohsen is one of the five founding members of
K-oh-llective, an online platform that provides resources and facilitates conversations between art practitioners in Egypt and the Arab world.
She was the artist-in-residence at Art Omi: Artists, New York, 2022, and at Rote Fabrik, Zürich 2021. She is the recipient of many production grants; AFAC Visual Arts Grant, Mophradat Artists Grant, Visual Arts: A Flourishing Field Grant, Pro Helvetia’s Parallel Sphere, Warehouse421’s Project Revival Fund, Art Jameel Research and Practice Grant, among others.
She was the artist-in-residence at Art Omi: Artists, New York, 2022, and at Rote Fabrik, Zürich 2021. She is the recipient of many production grants; AFAC Visual Arts Grant, Mophradat Artists Grant, Visual Arts: A Flourishing Field Grant, Pro Helvetia’s Parallel Sphere, Warehouse421’s Project Revival Fund, Art Jameel Research and Practice Grant, among others.
Education
︎︎︎ 2024 - MA Transdisciplinary Studies, Zürich University of the Arts, CH.
︎︎︎ 2018 - B.Sc. Architecture and Urban Design, German University in Cairo and Brandenburg University of Technology, Cottbus-Senftenberg, DE.
Further Programs
︎︎︎ 2022 - School of Commons, READ Lab, Zürich, CH/Online.
︎︎︎ 2020 - Artists for Artists (AfA) Masterclass: Radical Care, Online.
︎︎︎ 2019 - MASS Alexandria Independent Studio/Study Program, Alexandria, EG.
︎︎︎ 2018 - Roznama 6 Studio Program, Cairo, EG.
Residencies
︎︎︎ 2022 - Art Omi: Artists Residency, New York, USA.
︎︎︎ 2021 - Rote Fabrik, Pro Helvetia Studio Residency, Zürich, CH. ︎︎︎ 2020 - Homebound Residency, Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi, UAE/Online.
︎︎︎ 2020 - YARAT Contemporary Art Space, Baku, AZ. (canceled)
︎︎︎ 2020 - The Lab at Darat Al Funun, Amman, JO. (canceled)
︎︎︎ 2020 - Triangle France, Astérides, Marseille, FR. (shortlisted)
Awards & Scholarships
︎︎︎ 2022 - Rolex Mentorship Protege Initiative, Architecture. (nominated)
︎︎︎ 2022 - Excellence Scholarship, Fondation ZHdK, CH.
︎︎︎ 2022 - Al Alfi Postgraduate Fellowship, Al Alfi Foundation, EG.
︎︎︎ 2022 - 100 Artists, artlink and SüdKulturFonds, CH.
︎︎︎ 2019 - Villa Vassilieff, Pernod Ricard Fellowship, FR. (shortlisted)
︎︎︎ 2014 - 25th Youth Salon, Collection of CIB Bank, EG.
Grants
︎︎︎ 2022 - School of Commons, project grant, CH.
︎︎︎ 2021 - Visual Arts Grant Program, AFAC, with Souakina Joual, LB.
︎︎︎ 2021 - Production grant, Pro Helvetia Cairo, CH.
︎︎︎ 2021 - Production grant, A.M. Qattan Foundation, VAFF Project, PA/SE.
︎︎︎ 2021 - Grants for Artists, Mophradat, with Souakina Joual, BE.
︎︎︎ 2021 - All-Round Culture, Youth-led Initiatives, as Dataland, EU.
︎︎︎ 2021 - Wijhat travel grant, Culture Resource, LB.
︎︎︎ 2021 - General mobility grant, Fanak Fund, FR.
︎︎︎ 2020 - Self-Organizations, Mophradat, as K-oh-llective, BE.
︎︎︎ 2020 - Homebound Residency production grant, Warehouse421, UAE.
︎︎︎ 2020 - Parallel Sphere production grant, Pro Helvetia Cairo, CH.
︎︎︎ 2020 - Project Revival Fund, Warehouse421, UAE.
︎︎︎ 2020 - Art Jameel Research and Practice Platform, UAE.
︎︎︎ 2020 - Production grant, A.M. Qattan Foundation, VAFF Project, PA/SE.
︎︎︎ 2020 - Grants to Artists, British Council Cairo, with Sarah Maher, UK.
︎︎︎ 2019 - Grants for Artists, Mophradat, with Sarah Maher, BE.
︎︎︎ 2019 - Roznama 7, Solo Exhibition Prize by Soma Art Gallery, EG.
Public Events & Workshops
︎︎︎ 2022 - “Recipes of Commoning”, as K-oh-llective, Frame Finland, Helsinki.
︎︎︎ 2022 - “City as University”, symposium, Floating University, Berlin, DE.
︎︎︎ 2022 - “Open Studios”, Art Omi: Artists, New York, USA.
︎︎︎ 2022 - “SoC Intensive Weekend”, with Petra Mrša & Philip Ullrich, Zürich, CH.
︎︎︎ 2022 - “Kitchen Sessions”, School of Commons, online.
︎︎︎ 2021 - “Homebound Residency: Artist Talk”, Warehouse421, online.
︎︎︎ 2021 - “Zürich Art Weekend”, open studio at Rote Fabrik.
︎︎︎ 2021 - “How To Love Many In Many Ways”, workshops in Zürich.
︎︎︎ 2021 - “Shish Bish”, Workshop by Makouk and Medrar.
︎︎︎ 2020 - Live Praxes #2: “Written to be Spoken” by Mohamed Abdelkarim.
︎︎︎ 2020 - “Qaaf Laam in the Chatroom”, online discussion with Noor Abed.
︎︎︎ 2019 - “In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts”, Bamako Biennial public program.
︎︎︎ 2019 - “Food Ethnography Workshop” workshop with Mai Amer, CiC.
︎︎︎ 2018 - “The Land Speaks to you in Signs” workshop with Ala Yunis, Zawya.
︎︎︎ 2017 - “Naeema’s Office is Bleeding” workshop with Hany Rashed, Medrar.
Publications
︎︎︎ 2022 - “Squatting the Internet”, as K-oh-llective, Rehearsing Hospitalities 4.
︎︎︎ 2022 - “OTTSASWEGO”, edited by C. Sissokho & S. Aboulaoula.
︎︎︎ 2022 - “Maybe We’re in a Bad Marriage”, as K-oh-llective, NO NIIN Magazine.
︎︎︎ 2021 - “Notes on Collaboration”, edited by Mai El Wakil.
︎︎︎ 2020 - “The Thelos Society Earth” Issue I, edited by Georgia Kotretsos.
︎︎︎ 2020 - “Chatrooms: On Curating Spaces”, edited by Nour El Safoury.
︎︎︎ 2020 - “No ISBN: On Self-Publishing”, by Bernard Cella, Wael Ashry, Kayfa ta.
︎︎︎ 2019 - “Chatrooms: A Guidebook to Discursive Spaces”, self-published.
︎︎︎ 2018 - “Roznama 6”, booklet edited by N. El Safoury and M. Abdelkarim.
︎︎︎ 2018 - “Robabecciah: The Informal City”, Egyptian National Pavilion, 16th Venice Biennale of Architecture, edited by Mouaz Abozaid and Eslam El Mashtooly.
︎︎︎ 2024 - MA Transdisciplinary Studies, Zürich University of the Arts, CH.
︎︎︎ 2018 - B.Sc. Architecture and Urban Design, German University in Cairo and Brandenburg University of Technology, Cottbus-Senftenberg, DE.
Further Programs
︎︎︎ 2022 - School of Commons, READ Lab, Zürich, CH/Online.
︎︎︎ 2020 - Artists for Artists (AfA) Masterclass: Radical Care, Online.
︎︎︎ 2019 - MASS Alexandria Independent Studio/Study Program, Alexandria, EG.
︎︎︎ 2018 - Roznama 6 Studio Program, Cairo, EG.
Residencies
︎︎︎ 2022 - Art Omi: Artists Residency, New York, USA.
︎︎︎ 2021 - Rote Fabrik, Pro Helvetia Studio Residency, Zürich, CH. ︎︎︎ 2020 - Homebound Residency, Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi, UAE/Online.
︎︎︎ 2020 - YARAT Contemporary Art Space, Baku, AZ. (canceled)
︎︎︎ 2020 - The Lab at Darat Al Funun, Amman, JO. (canceled)
︎︎︎ 2020 - Triangle France, Astérides, Marseille, FR. (shortlisted)
Awards & Scholarships
︎︎︎ 2022 - Rolex Mentorship Protege Initiative, Architecture. (nominated)
︎︎︎ 2022 - Excellence Scholarship, Fondation ZHdK, CH.
︎︎︎ 2022 - Al Alfi Postgraduate Fellowship, Al Alfi Foundation, EG.
︎︎︎ 2022 - 100 Artists, artlink and SüdKulturFonds, CH.
︎︎︎ 2019 - Villa Vassilieff, Pernod Ricard Fellowship, FR. (shortlisted)
︎︎︎ 2014 - 25th Youth Salon, Collection of CIB Bank, EG.
Grants
︎︎︎ 2022 - School of Commons, project grant, CH.
︎︎︎ 2021 - Visual Arts Grant Program, AFAC, with Souakina Joual, LB.
︎︎︎ 2021 - Production grant, Pro Helvetia Cairo, CH.
︎︎︎ 2021 - Production grant, A.M. Qattan Foundation, VAFF Project, PA/SE.
︎︎︎ 2021 - Grants for Artists, Mophradat, with Souakina Joual, BE.
︎︎︎ 2021 - All-Round Culture, Youth-led Initiatives, as Dataland, EU.
︎︎︎ 2021 - Wijhat travel grant, Culture Resource, LB.
︎︎︎ 2021 - General mobility grant, Fanak Fund, FR.
︎︎︎ 2020 - Self-Organizations, Mophradat, as K-oh-llective, BE.
︎︎︎ 2020 - Homebound Residency production grant, Warehouse421, UAE.
︎︎︎ 2020 - Parallel Sphere production grant, Pro Helvetia Cairo, CH.
︎︎︎ 2020 - Project Revival Fund, Warehouse421, UAE.
︎︎︎ 2020 - Art Jameel Research and Practice Platform, UAE.
︎︎︎ 2020 - Production grant, A.M. Qattan Foundation, VAFF Project, PA/SE.
︎︎︎ 2020 - Grants to Artists, British Council Cairo, with Sarah Maher, UK.
︎︎︎ 2019 - Grants for Artists, Mophradat, with Sarah Maher, BE.
︎︎︎ 2019 - Roznama 7, Solo Exhibition Prize by Soma Art Gallery, EG.
Public Events & Workshops
︎︎︎ 2022 - “Recipes of Commoning”, as K-oh-llective, Frame Finland, Helsinki.
︎︎︎ 2022 - “City as University”, symposium, Floating University, Berlin, DE.
︎︎︎ 2022 - “Open Studios”, Art Omi: Artists, New York, USA.
︎︎︎ 2022 - “SoC Intensive Weekend”, with Petra Mrša & Philip Ullrich, Zürich, CH.
︎︎︎ 2022 - “Kitchen Sessions”, School of Commons, online.
︎︎︎ 2021 - “Homebound Residency: Artist Talk”, Warehouse421, online.
︎︎︎ 2021 - “Zürich Art Weekend”, open studio at Rote Fabrik.
︎︎︎ 2021 - “How To Love Many In Many Ways”, workshops in Zürich.
︎︎︎ 2021 - “Shish Bish”, Workshop by Makouk and Medrar.
︎︎︎ 2020 - Live Praxes #2: “Written to be Spoken” by Mohamed Abdelkarim.
︎︎︎ 2020 - “Qaaf Laam in the Chatroom”, online discussion with Noor Abed.
︎︎︎ 2019 - “In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts”, Bamako Biennial public program.
︎︎︎ 2019 - “Food Ethnography Workshop” workshop with Mai Amer, CiC.
︎︎︎ 2018 - “The Land Speaks to you in Signs” workshop with Ala Yunis, Zawya.
︎︎︎ 2017 - “Naeema’s Office is Bleeding” workshop with Hany Rashed, Medrar.
Publications
︎︎︎ 2022 - “Squatting the Internet”, as K-oh-llective, Rehearsing Hospitalities 4.
︎︎︎ 2022 - “OTTSASWEGO”, edited by C. Sissokho & S. Aboulaoula.
︎︎︎ 2022 - “Maybe We’re in a Bad Marriage”, as K-oh-llective, NO NIIN Magazine.
︎︎︎ 2021 - “Notes on Collaboration”, edited by Mai El Wakil.
︎︎︎ 2020 - “The Thelos Society Earth” Issue I, edited by Georgia Kotretsos.
︎︎︎ 2020 - “Chatrooms: On Curating Spaces”, edited by Nour El Safoury.
︎︎︎ 2020 - “No ISBN: On Self-Publishing”, by Bernard Cella, Wael Ashry, Kayfa ta.
︎︎︎ 2019 - “Chatrooms: A Guidebook to Discursive Spaces”, self-published.
︎︎︎ 2018 - “Roznama 6”, booklet edited by N. El Safoury and M. Abdelkarim.
︎︎︎ 2018 - “Robabecciah: The Informal City”, Egyptian National Pavilion, 16th Venice Biennale of Architecture, edited by Mouaz Abozaid and Eslam El Mashtooly.
Group Exhibitions & Performances
2022 ︎︎︎ “How to Love Many in Many Ways” - Iron Velvet Gallery, New York, USA.
︎︎︎ “Cairo Prints Exhibition - Edition III” - Cairopolitan, Cairo, EG.
︎︎︎ “Radical Projects! The Classroom & Beyond” - Tasmeem Doha, VCUarts, QA.
︎︎︎ “Longing for Community” - curated by Aline Lenzhofer, fluc + fluc, AT.
︎︎︎ “Machi Mashy: A H(ij)acked Tongue” - listening session with Soukaina Joual.
︎︎︎ “100 Best Arabic Posters” - Saudi Design Festival (SA), Bibliotheca Alexandrina (EG), Birzeit University (PA).
2021
︎︎︎ “Art as Connection” - with Mohamed Abdelkarim, Kunsthaus Aargau, CH.
︎︎︎ “Bad Mother” - with Rania Atef, About Us! Festival, Zürich, CH.
︎︎︎ “Embodied Encounters” - with Shahd Omar, Blackbox Zürich, CH.
︎︎︎ “But these forms need to be created” - Khalil Sakakini Center, Ramallah, PA.
︎︎︎ “Remote Closeness” - Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts, Amman, JO.
︎︎︎ “Notes on Collaboration” - Contemporary Image Collective, Cairo, EG.
︎︎︎ “Shish Bish” - Game-based exhibition by Medrar and Makouk, Cairo, EG.
︎︎︎ “Cairo Prints Exhibition - Edition II” - Cairopolitan, Institut français d'Égypte, IFAO - Institut français d'archéologie orientale, Cairo, EG.
︎︎︎ “100 Best Arabic Posters” - Tahrir Cultural Center (EG), Warehouse421 (UAE), and Cultuurcentrum Ter Dilft (BE).
2020
︎︎︎ “Open Studios” - Artists for Artists IG takeover with Gabriel Hensche, DE.
︎︎︎ “Lichtblick” - Kunsthalle am Hamburger Platz, Berlin, DE.
︎︎︎ "Quarantine: A Capsule" - film by Rozeen Bisharat, FilmLab Palestine, DE/PA.
︎︎︎ “With Doors Closed, Artists Go Viral” - Medrar, Cairo, EG/online.
︎︎︎ “The Artist at Work” - Khalil Sakakini Cultural Centre, Ramallah, PA.
︎︎︎ “No ISBN” - project by Bernhard Cella, MMAG Foundation, Amman, JO.
2019
︎︎︎ “No ISBN” - project by Bernhard Cella, Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
︎︎︎ “End of Year Exhibition” - MASS Alexandria, EG.
︎︎︎ “No ISBN” - project by Bernhard Cella, Beirut Art Centre, Beirut, LB.
︎︎︎ “The Other Side of the Sea” - performance with Alia Farid, Alexandria, EG.
︎︎︎ “Roznama 7” - Townhouse Gallery, Cairo, EG.
2018 ︎︎︎ “More Stories” - Cairo Photo Week, EG.
︎︎︎ “Waiting” - Cavafy Museum with Laima Kreivyte, by MASS Alexandria, EG.
︎︎︎ “The Act of Conversing in a Space that Remembers” - Roznama Studio, EG.
︎︎︎ “Robabecciah: The Informal City” - Egyptian National Pavilion, 16th Venice Biennale of Architecture, Venice, IT.
2017
︎︎︎ “Naeema’s Office is Bleeding” - Medrar for Contemporary Art, Cairo, EG.
︎︎︎ “Mahmoud Kahil Award Exhibition” - American University in Beirut, LB.
2016
︎︎︎ “Out of the Fridge 3” - 3rd Koshk Stand, American University in Cairo, EG.
︎︎︎ “27th Youth Salon” - Palace of Arts, Cairo, EG.
︎︎︎ “Shamareekh” - CairoComix Festival, American University in Cairo, EG.
︎︎︎ “CairoSaturdayWalks” - the Egyptian Cultural Centre in London, UK.
︎︎︎ “Metre x Metre: a free space for creativity” - Bibliotheca Alexandria, EG.
︎︎︎ “CairoSaturdayWalks” - Photopia and Makan, Cairo, EG.
2015
︎︎︎ “Dutch Houses” - The Netherlands-Flemish Institute in Cairo (NVIC), EG.
︎︎︎ “25th Youth Salon” - Palace of Arts, Cairo, EG.
︎︎︎ “Frozen in Time” - Photopia, Cairo, EG.
Press
︎︎︎ 2022 - “Artist Spotlight with Engy Mohsen”, Interview by ArteEast.
︎︎︎ 2022 - “Notes on Collaboration”, Interview by Medrar TV, EG.
︎︎︎ 2022 - “A Game is a Great Excuse”, Interview by C. Neugebauer & N. Unfer.
︎︎︎ 2021 - “How To Love Many In Many Ways”, Fabrikzeitung, CH.
︎︎︎ 2021 - “How To Love Many In Many Ways”, KulturZüri, CH.
︎︎︎ 2020 - “AfA Open Studios Week 6”, In conversation with Georgia Kotretsos.
︎︎︎ 2020 - Systems of Subtleties by Ash Moniz, Mada Masr, EG.
︎︎︎ 2019 - “Roznama 6 Studio Program”, Public Discussions, MedrarTV, EG.
︎︎︎ 2018 - Art Alert: Performance Art at Roznama Studio, Ahram Online, EG.
2022 ︎︎︎ “How to Love Many in Many Ways” - Iron Velvet Gallery, New York, USA.
︎︎︎ “Cairo Prints Exhibition - Edition III” - Cairopolitan, Cairo, EG.
︎︎︎ “Radical Projects! The Classroom & Beyond” - Tasmeem Doha, VCUarts, QA.
︎︎︎ “Longing for Community” - curated by Aline Lenzhofer, fluc + fluc, AT.
︎︎︎ “Machi Mashy: A H(ij)acked Tongue” - listening session with Soukaina Joual.
︎︎︎ “100 Best Arabic Posters” - Saudi Design Festival (SA), Bibliotheca Alexandrina (EG), Birzeit University (PA).
2021
︎︎︎ “Art as Connection” - with Mohamed Abdelkarim, Kunsthaus Aargau, CH.
︎︎︎ “Bad Mother” - with Rania Atef, About Us! Festival, Zürich, CH.
︎︎︎ “Embodied Encounters” - with Shahd Omar, Blackbox Zürich, CH.
︎︎︎ “But these forms need to be created” - Khalil Sakakini Center, Ramallah, PA.
︎︎︎ “Remote Closeness” - Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts, Amman, JO.
︎︎︎ “Notes on Collaboration” - Contemporary Image Collective, Cairo, EG.
︎︎︎ “Shish Bish” - Game-based exhibition by Medrar and Makouk, Cairo, EG.
︎︎︎ “Cairo Prints Exhibition - Edition II” - Cairopolitan, Institut français d'Égypte, IFAO - Institut français d'archéologie orientale, Cairo, EG.
︎︎︎ “100 Best Arabic Posters” - Tahrir Cultural Center (EG), Warehouse421 (UAE), and Cultuurcentrum Ter Dilft (BE).
2020
︎︎︎ “Open Studios” - Artists for Artists IG takeover with Gabriel Hensche, DE.
︎︎︎ “Lichtblick” - Kunsthalle am Hamburger Platz, Berlin, DE.
︎︎︎ "Quarantine: A Capsule" - film by Rozeen Bisharat, FilmLab Palestine, DE/PA.
︎︎︎ “With Doors Closed, Artists Go Viral” - Medrar, Cairo, EG/online.
︎︎︎ “The Artist at Work” - Khalil Sakakini Cultural Centre, Ramallah, PA.
︎︎︎ “No ISBN” - project by Bernhard Cella, MMAG Foundation, Amman, JO.
2019
︎︎︎ “No ISBN” - project by Bernhard Cella, Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
︎︎︎ “End of Year Exhibition” - MASS Alexandria, EG.
︎︎︎ “No ISBN” - project by Bernhard Cella, Beirut Art Centre, Beirut, LB.
︎︎︎ “The Other Side of the Sea” - performance with Alia Farid, Alexandria, EG.
︎︎︎ “Roznama 7” - Townhouse Gallery, Cairo, EG.
2018 ︎︎︎ “More Stories” - Cairo Photo Week, EG.
︎︎︎ “Waiting” - Cavafy Museum with Laima Kreivyte, by MASS Alexandria, EG.
︎︎︎ “The Act of Conversing in a Space that Remembers” - Roznama Studio, EG.
︎︎︎ “Robabecciah: The Informal City” - Egyptian National Pavilion, 16th Venice Biennale of Architecture, Venice, IT.
2017
︎︎︎ “Naeema’s Office is Bleeding” - Medrar for Contemporary Art, Cairo, EG.
︎︎︎ “Mahmoud Kahil Award Exhibition” - American University in Beirut, LB.
2016
︎︎︎ “Out of the Fridge 3” - 3rd Koshk Stand, American University in Cairo, EG.
︎︎︎ “27th Youth Salon” - Palace of Arts, Cairo, EG.
︎︎︎ “Shamareekh” - CairoComix Festival, American University in Cairo, EG.
︎︎︎ “CairoSaturdayWalks” - the Egyptian Cultural Centre in London, UK.
︎︎︎ “Metre x Metre: a free space for creativity” - Bibliotheca Alexandria, EG.
︎︎︎ “CairoSaturdayWalks” - Photopia and Makan, Cairo, EG.
2015
︎︎︎ “Dutch Houses” - The Netherlands-Flemish Institute in Cairo (NVIC), EG.
︎︎︎ “25th Youth Salon” - Palace of Arts, Cairo, EG.
︎︎︎ “Frozen in Time” - Photopia, Cairo, EG.
Press
︎︎︎ 2022 - “Artist Spotlight with Engy Mohsen”, Interview by ArteEast.
︎︎︎ 2022 - “Notes on Collaboration”, Interview by Medrar TV, EG.
︎︎︎ 2022 - “A Game is a Great Excuse”, Interview by C. Neugebauer & N. Unfer.
︎︎︎ 2021 - “How To Love Many In Many Ways”, Fabrikzeitung, CH.
︎︎︎ 2021 - “How To Love Many In Many Ways”, KulturZüri, CH.
︎︎︎ 2020 - “AfA Open Studios Week 6”, In conversation with Georgia Kotretsos.
︎︎︎ 2020 - Systems of Subtleties by Ash Moniz, Mada Masr, EG.
︎︎︎ 2019 - “Roznama 6 Studio Program”, Public Discussions, MedrarTV, EG.
︎︎︎ 2018 - Art Alert: Performance Art at Roznama Studio, Ahram Online, EG.