![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WQCMAFRYWZTZCIMWLLMBRRNKFU.jpg?smart=true&auth=415c23589473fa6c92b8b1c6ea046b4f7f34ff927a63d53e5a6ac71cc3390a98&width=400&height=225)
Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad wearing his own Rise from the Ashes T-shirt. Instagram
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/F5FK2AJP3KMTCXFOT2JFOVF3AU.jpg?smart=true&auth=d86cfe76c8a49febc2f372696f3045c5643103bc174a338f50cd6bafdbe4ac4e&width=400&height=225)
Bahjat Alturjman is bringing the Libyan dialect to the fore. Bahjat
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XI56L5X4Z3UTZESFK42YW3PX6E.jpg?smart=true&auth=38beb2c68aba2e48ccdbbcf046f6d8f051caa1f35d7bc8df4eccf3596345a7ae&width=400&height=225)
Emirati photographic artist Farah Al Qasimi. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KQFFPU33D64XOHD7V2DHVE7PX4.jpg?smart=true&auth=1e0b4e95938b702ca4d2f4f7f2748e85ad55d5cd759cc7a31e436351cd2508ec&width=400&height=225)
Egyptian soprano Fatma Said has recently released her debut album 'El Nour'. Josef Fischnaller / Warner Bros
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MB2B4DUH4X5DZEXLSXC52SF6JU.jpg?smart=true&auth=1addb56f4ca790d35424b9ffd1ddda8dbb1137018c6cd24034a5a1f919e42da2&width=400&height=225)
Somali rapper Freek is at the forefront of the Arabic trap music scene. Elia Mssawir
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BAOEOWZEUBPZSOKFOJC2G7JJK4.jpg?smart=true&auth=c43cae8cb521b38408b38cbdd062cd0839e981a9b7ce75b6a2ed862972243bbe&width=400&height=225)
Photographer Hassan Hajjaj in London, photographed by Sueraya Shaheen for a portraits project of Middle Eastern artists. Sueraya Shaheen
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N3662JRPTWWNDCQMEZBRPUHPKA.jpg?smart=true&auth=1e2bc91126a92bd8fd4aabfc7a24f9fab7cffe59b6ce639968e074ede4ac0284&width=400&height=225)
Moroccan rapper Houda Abouz, known by her stage name Khtek, is breaking through in a male-dominated industry. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RZJMCSGCFQIW2UKBF7LFYI4HU4.jpg?smart=true&auth=e7ee12ba6002dd657ad37705983fb845319cdfb8ee68a477ac73ce064c482c78&width=400&height=225)
Lebanese illustrator and artist Nour Flayhan. Nour Flayhan
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/P77NGY2GLVB6GVVE5YBVOMGUHE.jpg?smart=true&auth=21ceb18c56a70ce3074697053c9ff23a1090c7f855ac8206a33e6b93466b6649&width=400&height=225)
Mika performed a concert in aid of Beirut in 2020. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/L2ZXWNVLWBNY53KWMARZSGZHKM.jpg?smart=true&auth=d5600e31c264e9a37c6e7492f51dd4f3e4cebb99f5c32b3ad53d168167ef1dc3&width=400&height=225)
Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim, one of the UAE's most important artists, will represent the country at the Venice Biennale 2022. Photo by Augustine Paredes / National Pavilion UAE La Biennale Di Venezia
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/G53UA2MWSRPEXD7LGBO6LSKLXQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=7527e243926a5f2402d2f088db1853d1076f5d7de799927d4ca7325d4c59408b&width=400&height=225)
French-Algerian artist and photographer Mohamed Bourouissa won the 2020 Deutsche Borse photography prize. The Photographers' Gallery
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/P3PHGTF7SNCDXD3A5UL7LX2GXE.jpg?smart=true&auth=e463c715ccd77be853042c2f28f1d338489e00f2826ed20820c0d5750a25a3b9&width=400&height=225)
Emirati curator Munira Al Sayegh. Courtesy 101
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZPBMFW4BDETHG6556KCWG7222M.jpg?smart=true&auth=c3eafff18d7b94213a1da467862880c9f63f9572a0ee2a2e3fafa9a47d016c22&width=400&height=225)
Syrian-American singer Omar Offedum. Anghami
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N5SQQSRVVHFGU4LDN25RXUNPSU.jpg?smart=true&auth=81b4aa4279ff7e6ae6e5351165011ead29e9e30cbdc77915c43cf51cb2a04cf9&width=400&height=225)
Rami Kadi has been named a UN Goodwill Ambassador for sustainable fashion in west Asia. Rami Kadi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OQQAWJYTU3HMDBZUMAYEYEOWSY.jpg?smart=true&auth=2c463beef0701c8686ff5689489f4eafbd95804e3b7a9262c5d9780cb9707156&width=400&height=225)
Swedish-Moroccan music producer Nadir Khayat, aka RedOne, wrote hits for the likes of pop stars Lady Gaga and Enrique Iglesias. Ibrahim Zoubir
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IB7UMUWUJLPQ5HKDES4UCQXCT4.jpg?smart=true&auth=681fbb65d51ace7219671cd3b25c882af47017113bb6711969122aab786f4fe0&width=400&height=225)
Sandra Saad speaks onstage during the Marvel Game Panel at New York Comic Con in 2019. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FFUS4QRS6GABU7V5K24LRKWRIE.jpg?smart=true&auth=e3a8dc32020a2d7c8d6b01d2c0cc084a2230a8563be39d449d970544ab931095&width=400&height=225)
Algerian rap star Abderraouf Derradji, popularly known as Soolking, in a photo posted on his social media account. Instagram
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/27I57WUVJPK74VRP6ZDR2EXCAI.jpg?smart=true&auth=7f891134b4edb480223c846482e1f13161ff3288240c555f24305eb16c166ebc&width=400&height=225)
Prince Sultan Bin Fahad Bin Nasser Al-Saud in front of his work 'To Dust'. Athr Gallery
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FBQ6GASOPKVI5IBVHTWIFCJSGM.jpg?smart=true&auth=f90eb8bc29705debf109a9ba4c26a174108e416c71ab8bef07b070ae0e2e68d0&width=400&height=225)
Artist Tarek Atoui, winner of the 2022 Suzanne Deal Booth / Flag Art Foundation Prize. Matteo Bellomo Fabrica
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WQCMAFRYWZTZCIMWLLMBRRNKFU.jpg?smart=true&auth=415c23589473fa6c92b8b1c6ea046b4f7f34ff927a63d53e5a6ac71cc3390a98&width=400&height=225)
Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad wearing his own Rise from the Ashes T-shirt. Instagram
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/F5FK2AJP3KMTCXFOT2JFOVF3AU.jpg?smart=true&auth=d86cfe76c8a49febc2f372696f3045c5643103bc174a338f50cd6bafdbe4ac4e&width=400&height=225)
Bahjat Alturjman is bringing the Libyan dialect to the fore. Bahjat
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XI56L5X4Z3UTZESFK42YW3PX6E.jpg?smart=true&auth=38beb2c68aba2e48ccdbbcf046f6d8f051caa1f35d7bc8df4eccf3596345a7ae&width=400&height=225)
Emirati photographic artist Farah Al Qasimi. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KQFFPU33D64XOHD7V2DHVE7PX4.jpg?smart=true&auth=1e0b4e95938b702ca4d2f4f7f2748e85ad55d5cd759cc7a31e436351cd2508ec&width=400&height=225)
Egyptian soprano Fatma Said has recently released her debut album 'El Nour'. Josef Fischnaller / Warner Bros
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MB2B4DUH4X5DZEXLSXC52SF6JU.jpg?smart=true&auth=1addb56f4ca790d35424b9ffd1ddda8dbb1137018c6cd24034a5a1f919e42da2&width=400&height=225)
Somali rapper Freek is at the forefront of the Arabic trap music scene. Elia Mssawir
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BAOEOWZEUBPZSOKFOJC2G7JJK4.jpg?smart=true&auth=c43cae8cb521b38408b38cbdd062cd0839e981a9b7ce75b6a2ed862972243bbe&width=400&height=225)
Photographer Hassan Hajjaj in London, photographed by Sueraya Shaheen for a portraits project of Middle Eastern artists. Sueraya Shaheen
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N3662JRPTWWNDCQMEZBRPUHPKA.jpg?smart=true&auth=1e2bc91126a92bd8fd4aabfc7a24f9fab7cffe59b6ce639968e074ede4ac0284&width=400&height=225)
Moroccan rapper Houda Abouz, known by her stage name Khtek, is breaking through in a male-dominated industry. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RZJMCSGCFQIW2UKBF7LFYI4HU4.jpg?smart=true&auth=e7ee12ba6002dd657ad37705983fb845319cdfb8ee68a477ac73ce064c482c78&width=400&height=225)
Lebanese illustrator and artist Nour Flayhan. Nour Flayhan
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/P77NGY2GLVB6GVVE5YBVOMGUHE.jpg?smart=true&auth=21ceb18c56a70ce3074697053c9ff23a1090c7f855ac8206a33e6b93466b6649&width=400&height=225)
Mika performed a concert in aid of Beirut in 2020. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/L2ZXWNVLWBNY53KWMARZSGZHKM.jpg?smart=true&auth=d5600e31c264e9a37c6e7492f51dd4f3e4cebb99f5c32b3ad53d168167ef1dc3&width=400&height=225)
Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim, one of the UAE's most important artists, will represent the country at the Venice Biennale 2022. Photo by Augustine Paredes / National Pavilion UAE La Biennale Di Venezia
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/G53UA2MWSRPEXD7LGBO6LSKLXQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=7527e243926a5f2402d2f088db1853d1076f5d7de799927d4ca7325d4c59408b&width=400&height=225)
French-Algerian artist and photographer Mohamed Bourouissa won the 2020 Deutsche Borse photography prize. The Photographers' Gallery
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/P3PHGTF7SNCDXD3A5UL7LX2GXE.jpg?smart=true&auth=e463c715ccd77be853042c2f28f1d338489e00f2826ed20820c0d5750a25a3b9&width=400&height=225)
Emirati curator Munira Al Sayegh. Courtesy 101
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZPBMFW4BDETHG6556KCWG7222M.jpg?smart=true&auth=c3eafff18d7b94213a1da467862880c9f63f9572a0ee2a2e3fafa9a47d016c22&width=400&height=225)
Syrian-American singer Omar Offedum. Anghami
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N5SQQSRVVHFGU4LDN25RXUNPSU.jpg?smart=true&auth=81b4aa4279ff7e6ae6e5351165011ead29e9e30cbdc77915c43cf51cb2a04cf9&width=400&height=225)
Rami Kadi has been named a UN Goodwill Ambassador for sustainable fashion in west Asia. Rami Kadi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OQQAWJYTU3HMDBZUMAYEYEOWSY.jpg?smart=true&auth=2c463beef0701c8686ff5689489f4eafbd95804e3b7a9262c5d9780cb9707156&width=400&height=225)
Swedish-Moroccan music producer Nadir Khayat, aka RedOne, wrote hits for the likes of pop stars Lady Gaga and Enrique Iglesias. Ibrahim Zoubir
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IB7UMUWUJLPQ5HKDES4UCQXCT4.jpg?smart=true&auth=681fbb65d51ace7219671cd3b25c882af47017113bb6711969122aab786f4fe0&width=400&height=225)
Sandra Saad speaks onstage during the Marvel Game Panel at New York Comic Con in 2019. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FFUS4QRS6GABU7V5K24LRKWRIE.jpg?smart=true&auth=e3a8dc32020a2d7c8d6b01d2c0cc084a2230a8563be39d449d970544ab931095&width=400&height=225)
Algerian rap star Abderraouf Derradji, popularly known as Soolking, in a photo posted on his social media account. Instagram
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/27I57WUVJPK74VRP6ZDR2EXCAI.jpg?smart=true&auth=7f891134b4edb480223c846482e1f13161ff3288240c555f24305eb16c166ebc&width=400&height=225)
Prince Sultan Bin Fahad Bin Nasser Al-Saud in front of his work 'To Dust'. Athr Gallery
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FBQ6GASOPKVI5IBVHTWIFCJSGM.jpg?smart=true&auth=f90eb8bc29705debf109a9ba4c26a174108e416c71ab8bef07b070ae0e2e68d0&width=400&height=225)
Artist Tarek Atoui, winner of the 2022 Suzanne Deal Booth / Flag Art Foundation Prize. Matteo Bellomo Fabrica
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WQCMAFRYWZTZCIMWLLMBRRNKFU.jpg?smart=true&auth=415c23589473fa6c92b8b1c6ea046b4f7f34ff927a63d53e5a6ac71cc3390a98&width=400&height=225)
Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad wearing his own Rise from the Ashes T-shirt. Instagram
In the frame: The 20 Arab artists, musicians and designers who triumphed in 2020
From design to music production, we take a look at artists from the region who created remarkable work throughout the year
Alexandra Chaves, Saeed Saeed and Razmig Bedirian
23 January, 2021
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic