Wael Shawky lives and works in Alexandria, Egypt. Shawky completed his BFA at The University of Alexandria, followed by an MFA at the University of Pennsylvania in 2000. Solo Exhibitions include: Project Gentili, Berlin (2009); Townhouse Gallery, Cairo (2008); Claudio Poleschi Arte Contemporanea Gallery program, Lucca (2007); KVS, Brussels (2007), Transitions-Ashkal Alwan, Beirut (2001). Shawky has participated in major group exhibitions including Translation, Queens Museum of Art, New York City (2009); Scenes Du Sud II, Musée d'art contemporain de Nîmes (2008); Medium Religion, ZKM, Karlsruhe (2008); 5th Meeting Points (2007); 2nd Riwaq Biennale, Palestine (2007); 2nd Moscow Biennial (2007); Choosing my religion, Kunstmuseum Thun, Switzerland (2006); Istanbul Biennial, Istanbul (2005); Platform Garanti of Contemporary Art, Istanbul (2005); ADAM, Smart Project Space, Amsterdam (2005); Urban Realities, Focus Istanbul, Martin-Gropius-Bau, Berlin (2005); Frieze Art Fair The Artists Cinema, London (2006), Museum of Modern Art Rome, Rome (2004); 50th Venice Biennial, Venice (2003); Artists Space, New York (2003) 6th International Cairo Biennial, Cairo (1996). He has received numerous awards for his work including The International Commissioning Grant, The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, New York (2005); The International Award of The Islamic World Arts Initiative, Arts International, New York (2004); The American Center Foundation Grant, Philadelphia (2004); won the Grand Nile Prize at the 6th International Cairo Biennial (1996)..