29th Oct, 2025 12:00
Modern & Contemporary African & Middle Eastern Art
32
ABDERRAZAK SAHLI (TUNISIAN 1941-2009)
(I) UNTITLED (II) UNTITLED
(i) and (ii) signed Sahli lower right
(i) and (ii) oil and silver paint on sackcloth laid down on board
(i) and (ii) 30.5 x 30cm; 12 x 12 1/4in
(i) and (ii) 53 x 53cm; 20 3/4in x 20 3/4in (framed)
(2)
Property of a Private Collector, Kent
Provenance
Acquired from the artist by the present owner
Born in Hammamet, Tunisia, Abderrazak Sahli embarked on a career in the visual arts in the 1960s, prompted by his friend and mentor Nejib Belkhodja, founder of the Tunis School of Art. Sahli graduated from the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Tunis in 1969 (where he later became Head), and subsequently studied plastic and graphic arts in Paris. Back in Tunisia, he taught at the art school in Nabeul, whilst also running the Cultural Magazine for Tunisian artists and was the Artistic spokesman for Radio Mosque in Tunis. During this time he moved away from figuration into abstraction and expanded into photography, installations, and sculpture, drawing on the Abstract Expressionist and Russian Suprematist art that he encountered in Paris. However, at heart, he remained attached to his cultural environment from his homeland.
Sahli's works blends elements of North African architecture, African and Berber objects, and Phoenician calligraphy, often using sakhane jute as a base for abstract motifs inspired by his childhood. By merging local traditions with contemporary methods, he created colourful, dynamic pieces featuring dancing forms and imaginative figures.
(I) UNTITLED (II) UNTITLED
(i) and (ii) signed Sahli lower right
(i) and (ii) oil and silver paint on sackcloth laid down on board
(i) and (ii) 30.5 x 30cm; 12 x 12 1/4in
(i) and (ii) 53 x 53cm; 20 3/4in x 20 3/4in (framed)
(2)
Property of a Private Collector, Kent
Provenance
Acquired from the artist by the present owner
Born in Hammamet, Tunisia, Abderrazak Sahli embarked on a career in the visual arts in the 1960s, prompted by his friend and mentor Nejib Belkhodja, founder of the Tunis School of Art. Sahli graduated from the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Tunis in 1969 (where he later became Head), and subsequently studied plastic and graphic arts in Paris. Back in Tunisia, he taught at the art school in Nabeul, whilst also running the Cultural Magazine for Tunisian artists and was the Artistic spokesman for Radio Mosque in Tunis. During this time he moved away from figuration into abstraction and expanded into photography, installations, and sculpture, drawing on the Abstract Expressionist and Russian Suprematist art that he encountered in Paris. However, at heart, he remained attached to his cultural environment from his homeland.
Sahli's works blends elements of North African architecture, African and Berber objects, and Phoenician calligraphy, often using sakhane jute as a base for abstract motifs inspired by his childhood. By merging local traditions with contemporary methods, he created colourful, dynamic pieces featuring dancing forms and imaginative figures.
Auction: Modern & Contemporary African & Middle Eastern Art, 29th Oct, 2025
If you want to start collecting striking modern and contemporary art in a newly developing market, our sales are for you. Each spring and autumn, the Modern and Contemporary African and Middle Eastern Department hold tightly curated, live and online auctions. Expect to find Arab artists such as Tahia Halim, Seif Wanly, Mahmoud Said and Mohanna Durra. African artists featured have ranged from modern masters such as Ablade Glover, Sam Ntiro and Jacob Hendrik Pierneef, to contemporary artists George Lilanga, Jilali Gharbaoui, Famakan Magassa, Christano Mangovo, Oluwole Omofemi, Esther Mahlangu and Brett Seiler.
PUBLIC EXHIBITION:
Sunday 26th October: 12pm to 4pm
Monday 27th October: 10am to 8pm (Drinks 5-8pm)
Tuesday 28th October: 10am to 5pm
