Khalid Shatta

Khalid Shatta (born 1989, Nuba Mountains, Sudan) is a Norwegian–Sudanese contemporary visual artist whose work explores the intimate connection between humans and nature. He employs geometric abstraction and incorporates ancient Kemetic and Cushitic symbols from the historical Nile valley civilizations to challenge dominant media narratives about Sudan and to celebrate indigenous systems of knowledge.

Early life and education Shatta was born in 1989 in the Nuba Mountains of South Kordofan, more than 500 km southwest of Khartoum. Due to ongoing conflict in the region, he relocated to Khartoum Bahri, the northern part of Sudan's tri-city capital, early in his life. He developed an early interest in drawing and photography. In Sudan, he worked with organizations such as Save the Children, youth forums, and initiatives to integrate child soldiers and South Sudanese refugees.

Career With the support of a peer, Shatta's work was nominated for the 2012 EFA Global Monitoring Report art contest, a UNESCO competition, which he won and earned a short residency in Paris. As the situation in Sudan became increasingly difficult, he migrated to Norway at the end of 2011, seeking asylum. He draws significant inspiration from ancient Sudanese history and the art of the Nile valley civilizations.

Themes and style Shatta's work employs geometric abstraction and incorporates ancient Kemetic and Cushitic symbols from the historical kingdoms of the Nile valley civilizations. His series Migration of the Soul explores the sensation of being out of place and feeling disconnected from one's own body and existence. He celebrates indigenous systems of knowledge and belonging, urging audiences to consider larger, unifying concepts that can create common ground for connection.

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