ArtDayME: Dr. Mohamed Yousif, born in 1953 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, is a distinguished artist and academic, recognised for his contributions to the UAE’s art and cultural landscape.

He earned his BA in Fine Arts from the College of Fine Arts in Cairo, an MFA from Webster University in St. Louis, US, and a PhD in Fine Arts from Manav Rachna International University in India. Yousef’s role extends beyond that of an artist; he is an Assistant Professor at the College of Fine Arts and Design, University of Sharjah, and a pivotal figure in the founding of the Sharjah National Theatre and the Emirates Fine Arts Society.

The sculptures and installations of Mohamed Yousif are distillations of his engagement with and contemplation of the natural environment. Motion and stillness feature prominently in his works, perhaps a conceptual extension of his parallel interest in theatre and live performance.

Yousif organised a solo exhibition of his work entitled Exiting In at his residence in 2003. In addition, his work has been presented in group exhibitions both locally and internationally in the Middle East, Europe, South Asia and Japan. Most notably, his work was included in the UAE Pavilion, 56th Venice Biennale, and he has been an active participant in the Emirates Fine Arts Society exhibitions since the founding of the organisation in 1979.

He is the recipient of the UAE Honour Award (2009) and the first Golden Prize at the Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh, Dhaka (2003). He is a founding member of the Emirates Fine Arts Society and has served as the chairman of the board of directors for the Sharjah National Theatre.