Wael Shawky: Drama 1882

Bonnefanten Maastricht, Centraal Museum Utrecht and Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam have jointly acquired Egyptian artist Wael Shawky's acclaimed video installation Drama 1882. 

Between history and current affairs

Drama 1882 deals with a crucial moment in Egyptian history: the nationalist Urabi Revolution (1879-1882), in which the Egyptian army revolted against European influence. In 1882, this revolt was put down by the British, who then occupied Egypt until 1956. The film functions both as a history lesson and an analysis of the current political situation worldwide. Shawky emphasises the urgency of this moment of global political change and revolutions. He raises questions about power and who has the authority to label someone as a terrorist, resistance fighter or hero.

Drama in different meanings

In Drama 1882, sung in classical Arabic by professional performers, Shawky plays with the different meanings of the term ‘drama’. This includes the idea of theatre and entertainment as well as the sense of catastrophe and our doubts about history. The film's scenography, with a slow-moving background, creates a layered effect reminiscent of a moving painting. The film has the character of an opera, with music and lyrics composed by Shawky himself.

Wael Shawky

Wael Shawky (1971, Alexandria) lived in Mecca until he was 13 and later studied in the United States. He gained fame with his film trilogy Cabaret Crusades (2010-2015), in which he uses puppets to examine the history of the Christian Crusades from an Arab perspective. Shawky often focuses on themes related to changing societies and migration. His work has been exhibited internationally at renowned institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the Louvre in Paris, and Tate Modern in London. Drama 1882 marks his first exhibition in the Netherlands and his introduction to Dutch museum collections.

Drama 1882 within the Netherlands Collection

With the acquisition of Drama 1882, the Netherlands acquires a key work by an internationally renowned artist. The work not only has great artistic appeal, but is also urgent and relevant to today's art field. It offers a critical look at the historiography surrounding colonialism and highlights the changing positions of power in the Middle East. This makes the work universally meaningful and an important addition to the Netherlands Collection. Shawky's work aligns with current trends in the contemporary art world, as seen in the work of artists such as Patricia Kaersenhout, Natasja Kensmil, Remy Jungerman and Mounira Al Solh.