Massoud Hayoun | Artist

Massoud Hayoun – The chair of the Near Eastern Studies Department performs the Dance of the Seven Veils to a captive audience, 2023

Massoud Hayoun - The award-winning author and investigative journalist turned contemporary artist debuts a suite of intimate and autobiographical works that pay homage to his Tunisian and Moroccan-Egyptian grandparents. The works also explore his coming-of-age experiences throughout his tenure in Beijing.

When called by the Master artist Ai Weiwei regarding Mr. Hayoun’s debut novel, which Weiwei found “exquisite”, their brief conversation inspired Massoud to dig deeper, where he found himself immersed in painting. These works are the beginning of that conversation. Mathqaf art organization has heralded him as an "artist crush du jour" and called his work "incredible," and he has already garnered solo and group shows across the United States, Morocco, Switzerland.

“Massoud’s defiance for independence mirrors his grandparent’s legacy for their own independence. His desire to speak honestly resonates in these intimate and deeply personal artworks. From an investigative journalist to a fine artist, truth is at the core of Mr. Hayoun’s works.” ~ Terrell Tilford, Creative Director