Woman Face with Moon and Symbols, 1997

Hassan Musa, born in 1951 in El Nuhud, Sudan, is a contemporary artist renowned for his innovative fusion of European painting techniques, Arabic calligraphy, and Chinese watercolor traditions. His large-scale works often incorporate printed textiles as canvases, reinterpreting classical Western artworks to comment on global political and cultural themes. Musa's art challenges and reimagines iconic figures such as Osama bin Laden, Che Guevara, Vincent van Gogh, and Josephine Baker, reflecting his perspective on the pervasive influence of imagery in society. He articulates this by stating, "Images are like blows: we receive them, we give them back. We transmit violent things because that is the way we receive them. It's a way to survive; my images are my line of defense."

Musa earned a master's degree from the College of Fine and Applied Art at the Sudan University of Science and Technology in 1976 and a doctorate in Fine Art and Art History from the University of Montpellier, France, in 1979. His work has been showcased in numerous prestigious exhibitions worldwide, including the 47th Venice Biennale in 1997, the Whitechapel Art Gallery in London in 1995, and the Sharjah International Biennial in 1993. His pieces are held in esteemed collections such as the Ramzi and Saeda Dalloul Art Foundation in Beirut, the Hood Museum of Art in the United States, and the Museum der Weltkulturen in Frankfurt.

In addition to his visual art, Musa has contributed to children's literature by illustrating 22 books published in France. He has also conducted workshops since 1992, teaching various forms of calligraphy and drawing to both children and adults. Currently residing in Domessargues, France, Musa continues to create art that bridges cultural divides and provokes thoughtful discourse.