Mohamed Hassan is an Egyptian photographer living and working in Wales
Episode 473: Mohamed Hassan is an Egyptian artist whose new book, Our Hidden Room, is the recipient of the 2024 Star Photobook Dummy Award and is published by a quadfecta of parties, including Ediciones Posibles, Fundación Photographic Social Vision, EditorialRM, and PHREE.
In full declaration, I have been a fan of Mohaned and his work for some time. I consider his work to be powerful, often brooding, and rich in substance. I also had the opportunity before the award was called to begin working on a different version of this book for Nearest Truth Editions. The award was always in the mix, and I am super happy to have seen all the parties come together to support Our Hidden Room. I mention my involvement, alongside Alejandro Acin’s early support, to demonstrate the extent to which people feel strongly attracted to the project.
Our Hidden Room feels like something of a confessional. It is a deep personal exploration into Mohamed’s youth and his family, particularly his father, who met a tragic end that Mohamed bravely revisits in his visits back to Egypt from his new home in Wales, returning to excavate and sort through his memories of his father, mother, and brother, looking for clues, answers, and affirmations. The result is a book marked by a subtle melancholia and exceptionally potent photographs of Alexandria, as well as of Mohamed’s friends and the Egyptian landscape, interspersed with a few pictures from Wales. The book is beautiful and dynamic.
The experience of our conversation left me ruminating about loss, family, and navigating the complexities of a life uprooted from its origins. I left feeling that I share some of Mohamed’s story and he shares mine. It goes without saying that I highly champion Mohaned and his work, and encourage you to pick up the book, as well as explore his other work. Listen In!
