Etching By Mohammad Omer Khalil, 1978, Signed and Numbered, 285/1000.

This Is an Etching Art Piece Created By Mohammad Omer Khalil From Sudan In 1978. It's a Limited Edition, Signed and Numbered 285/1000. The Cachet Print Of WFUNA (World Federation Of United Nations Associations). WFUNA was Established In 1946 To Promote The Ideals Of The United Nations (UN) and Engage Global Citizens In Its Mission. One Fascinating aspect Of WFUNA's History Is Its Lithograph Program. The Program Began In 1966 To Commemorate The Organization's 30th Anniversary. As Part Of This Program, WFUNA Collaborated with Renowned Artists To Create Limited-Edition Lithographs.

Throughout the years, the WFUNA Lithograph Program has featured works by distinguished artists including Picasso, Lou Zheng Jang, Miro, Ruben Leyva, Al Hirschfeld, Norman Rockwell, and Andy Warhol.

Mohammad Omer Khalil, born in 1936 in the Burri Almahas neighbourhood of Khartoum, Sudan, is a Sudanese-born artist currently residing in New York City. His artistic journey spans several decades and encompasses both painting and printmaking. 

1. Early Life and Education

   • Khalil graduated from the School of Fine and Applied Arts in Khartoum in 1959, where he studied under the guidance of Greek artist Aristomenis Angelopoulos. After graduation, he taught at the same school for the next four years.
   • His artistic pursuits led him to Italy, where he attended the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze (ABAF) in Florence. There, he explored various artistic disciplines, including painting, mosaics, fresco painting, and etching.
   • Khalil’s scholarship from the Sudanese Ministry of Education enabled him to study at ABAF. Under the tutelage of Primo Conti, he honed his skills in fresco painting, while Rodolfo Margheri guided him in the art of etching.
   • In 1966, he continued his studies in mosaics at the Academy of Fine Arts in Ravenna.

2. Career Highlights

   • After leaving Italy, Khalil briefly taught at the Khartoum Technical Institute in Sudan before immigrating to the United States in 1967. His expertise in printmaking soon gained recognition.
   • Khalil’s works became part of a new wave of African art that reached Europe and North America. He opened a printing atelier, where he produced editions for renowned artists such as Emma Amos, Romare Bearden, Jim Dine, Al Held, Norman Lewis, Louise Nevelson, and Sean Scully.
   • His teaching career flourished as well. He began teaching etching at Pratt Institute in 1973, followed by positions at other prestigious institutions like Columbia University, New York University, The New School, and the Parsons School of Design.
   • Khalil’s extensive travels across the Arab world, as well as his time spent in Italy and New York City, significantly influenced his artistic expression.

3. Exhibitions and Influence

   • In 1979, Khalil held his first solo exhibition at the Galerie Basamat in Casablanca, Morocco. This marked the beginning of decades of success and exhibitions across Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.
   • His impact on the art scene extended beyond his own work. Khalil’s teaching engagements at various workshops, including the Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop and the Asilah Printmaking Workshop, left an indelible mark on aspiring artists.
   • His art reflects the fusion of cultural experiences, blending influences from his Sudanese roots, Italian training, and the vibrant energy of New York City.

4. Legacy

   • Khalil remains one of the Arab world’s most important contemporary painters, inspiring two generations of regional artists.
   • His dedication to both traditional techniques and innovative approaches continues to resonate in the art world.

Item Code - VIS18A31501HWA

Width: 8 5/8"  Height: 11"  Depth: 1/32"  Weight: 12 g