Salah M. Hassan

Salah M. Hassan
Born
Juba, South Sudan
Alma mater
Occupations
Known forEditor and co-founder of Nka: Journal of Contemporary African Art

Salah M. Hassan is an art historian, critic, and curator specializing in African art and the art and visual culture of the African diaspora. He is distinguished professor of arts and sciences emeritus in Africana studies and the Department of History of Art and Visual Studies at Cornell University. He also serves as director of Cornell's Institute for Comparative Modernities.[1] Hassan is the founding director and current dean of The Africa Institute, as well as chancellor of Global Studies University in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.[2]

Before joining the faculty at Cornell University in 1993, Hassan taught at the University at Buffalo, the University of Pennsylvania, and the College of Fine and Applied Art in Khartoum, Sudan.[1]

Early life and education

Hassan was born in Juba, South Sudan, and received an undergraduate degree from the University of Khartoum in 1978.[3][4] He received his M.A. (1984) and Ph.D. in folklore (1984) from the University of Pennsylvania.[4][5]

Career

Before joining the faculty at Cornell University in 1993, Hassan taught at the University at Buffalo, the University of Pennsylvania, and the College of Fine and Applied Art in Khartoum, Sudan.[1] In addition to his roles at Cornell, Hassan serves as chancellor of Global Studies University and dean of The Africa Institute in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.[6]

Hassan is an editor and co-founder of Nka: Journal of Contemporary African Art, published by Duke University Press.[7] He has authored, edited, and co-edited several books, including Gavin Jantjes: To Be Free! A Retrospective 1970–2023 (2025),[8] Ahmed Morsi: A Dialogic Imagination (2022),[9] Ibrahim El-Salahi: At Home in the World – A Memoir (2022),[10] Ibrahim El-Salahi: A Visionary Modernist (2012),[11] Darfur and the Crisis of Governance: A Critical Reader (2009), and Art and Islamic Literacy among the Hausa of Northern Nigeria (1992).

Hassan's curated and co-curated exhibitions include Authentic/Ex-Centric at the 49th Venice Biennale (2001),[12] Unpacking Europe at Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen (2001–2002),[13] and The Khartoum School: The Making of the Modern Art Movement in Sudan (1945–Present) at the Sharjah Art Foundation (2016–2017).[14] He also co-curated Kamala Ibrahim Ishag: States of Oneness at Serpentine South in London (2022–2023) with Hoor Al Qasimi and Melissa Blanchflower.[15] More recently, Hassan curated Gavin Jantjes: To Be Free! A Retrospective 1970–2023, presented at Sharjah Art Foundation in 2023–2024 and at Whitechapel Gallery in London in 2024. The Whitechapel presentation was curated in collaboration with Gilane Tawadros and Cameron Foote.[16][17] Hassan has received several grants and fellowships, including a J. Paul Getty Postdoctoral Fellowship and grants from the Sharjah Art Foundation, Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, and the Prince Claus Fund.[18] In 2021, he was honored as that year's distinguished scholar by the College Art Association (CAA) for his contributions to the field of art history.[19]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Salah M. Hassan". Africana Studies and Research Center. Cornell University. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  2. ↑ "Salah M. Hassan". Global Studies University. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  3. ↑ Deliss, Clementine, ed. (1996). Seven Stories About Modern Art in Africa. London: Flammarion. p. 312.
  4. 1 2 "Salah Hassan is appointed director of Africana Studies and Research Center". Cornell Chronicle. 2005-05-16. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  5. ↑ "Salah Hassan, PhD – Kolb Society". University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  6. ↑ "GSU launches fully funded PhD in Global Studies". Sharjah24. 28 October 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  7. ↑ Costache, Irina Dana; Kunny, Clare, eds. (2024). Historical Narratives of Global Modern Art. New York, NY: Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group. p. 221. ISBN 978-1-032-15020-8.
  8. ↑ Hassan, Salah M., ed. (2025). Gavin Jantjes: To Be Free! A Retrospective 1970–2023. The Africa Institute, Sharjah Art Foundation, and Skira Editore. ISBN 978-88-572-5338-1.
  9. ↑ Al Qasimi, Hoor; Hassan, Salah M., eds. (2022). Ahmed Morsi: A Dialogic Imagination. The Africa Institute and Skira Editore. ISBN 978-88-572-4650-5.
  10. ↑ El-Salahi, Ibrahim (2022). Hassan, Salah M. (ed.). Ibrahim El-Salahi: At Home in the World – A Memoir. The Africa Institute and Skira Editore. ISBN 978-88-572-4652-9.
  11. ↑ Hassan, Salah M., ed. (2012). Ibrahim El-Salahi: A Visionary Modernist. Museum for African Art. ISBN 978-0-945802-58-7.
  12. ↑ Hassan, Salah M.; Oguibe, Olu (2001). "'Authentic/Ex-Centric' at the Venice Biennale: African Conceptualism in Global Contexts". African Arts. 34 (4): 64–96. doi:10.2307/3337807. ISSN 0001-9933. JSTOR 3337807.
  13. ↑ Dadi, Iftikhar; Hassan, Salah M., eds. (2001). Unpacking Europe: Towards a Critical Reading. Rotterdam: Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen. ISBN 978-90-5662-233-6.
  14. ↑ "Ruler of Sharjah opens three major exhibitions of Sudanese art at Sharjah Art Foundation". Sharjah Art Foundation. 4 December 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  15. ↑ "Kamala Ibrahim Ishag: States of Oneness". Serpentine Galleries. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  16. ↑ "Gavin Jantjes: To Be Free! A Retrospective 1970–2023". The Africa Institute. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  17. ↑ "Gavin Jantjes: To Be Free! A Retrospective 1970–2023". Whitechapel Gallery. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  18. ↑ "Salah M. Hassan". Sharjah Art Foundation. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  19. ↑ College Art Association (2020-11-20). "2021 Distinguished Scholar: Salah M. Hassan". CAA News | College Art Association. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
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