Ahmad Nagy Draz is a independent visual artist, archivist, and curator based in Alexandria, Egypt. His artistic practice is shaped by intersection between his background in economic and structural sciences and extensive, field-based research within urban environments. His visual projects focus on two parallel trajectories: the geopolitical and environmental transformations within coastal cities and their impact on collective memory and the right to public space; and the deconstruction of preconceived gender roles surrounding Middle Eastern masculinity, exploring the nuances of vulnerability, intimacy, and repentance within everyday and complex institutional contexts.
Draz’s creative work seamlessly integrates with his role as a researcher and archivist. He has collaborated with prominent regional and research institutions including Alternative Policy Solutions at the American University in Cairo (AUC), the Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI), and the Human and the City for Research and Studies center to build comprehensive visual and sociological archives that re-examine urban shifts. As a curator, Draz focuses on the democratization of the archive, moving visual material from elite gallery settings into open public spaces to directly engage local communities. Additionally, he designs immersive, sensory exhibition environments that integrate physical matter and somatic movement within the space, employing diverse mediums such as sound installations, performance art, oral histories, and alternative material experimentation.
Archiving:
2023- Building Alexandria city archive for “Arab Urban Development Institute", Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
2021- Building Egyptian society archive for Alternative Policy Solutions project in “The American University in Cairo”, Cairo, Egypt.
2020- Together with other two Egyptian photographers, he co-founded the “Badawy Archive Project”
Teaching:
2020- Photography workshop in the Jesuite Cinema School, Alexandria, Egypt.
2019- Photography workshop in the Jesuite Cinema School, Alexandria, Egypt.
2015- Double exposure technique lecture in ViewFinder photography club, Alexandria, Egypt.
2011- Through the lens workshop in the French Institute, Alexandria, Egypt.
2011- Photojournalism lecture in faculty of arts, Alexandria, Egypt.
Workshops:
2026- The other workshop led by artist Nabil Boutros, Cairo.
2024- Folk Atlas, visual storytelling, with Mohammed Mahdi and Ghazi Al-Nagy, Alexandria.
2013- Visual Storytelling workshop in NOOR images Foundation, Cairo.
2011- War and first aid workshop, at Egypt's Journalists Syndicate, Alexandria.
Exhibitions:
2026- “I is an other”, The French Institute in Cairo, Egypt.
2025- “Alexandria Multiple Visions”, Alexandria Bibliotheca, Egypt.
2025- “Anti-archive”, Alexandria,Egypt.
2024- “7 colors in the city”, Alexandria, Egypt.
2022- “Manhood-reimagine, retold”, Cairo, Egypt.
2022- “Mexico-Egypt from above”,at The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, Cairo, Egypt.
2022,24,25- “Photopia print shop”, Cairo, Egypt.
2021- “Him too” solo exhibition, Cairo, Egypt.
2020- “Him too” solo exhibition in Alexandria, Egypt.
2019- “Cairography” in Darb 1718, Cairo, Egypt.
2018- “Narration exhibition” Cairo photo week, Cairo, Egypt.
2012- “Egyptians in colors and shapes”, in the Opera House, Cairo, Egypt.
2011- “Egyptian revolution”, Paris photo week, Paris, France.
2011- “Egyptian rebellion pictures exhibition” in Sawy Cultural Wheel, Cairo,Egypt.
2011- “Freedom rebellion exhibition” in Goethe Alexandria, Egypt.
Exhibitions curation:
2025- “Badawy from kom el dekka”, The first archival photography exhibition in the streets in Egypt took place in Alexandria.
2025- “Alexandria Multiple Visions”, Badawy Archive slideshow, Alexandria Bibliotheca, Egypt.
2025- “In the presence of the shrine”, Institut français, Alexandria, Egypt.
2025- “Visual trilogy”, Veolitte vella, Cairo, Egypt.
2024- “Badawy archive”, Greco-Roman Museum, Alexandria, Egypt.
2024- “7 colors in the city”, at “6 Bab Sharq” space, Alexandria, Egypt.
2015- “Freedom for the courageous”, at “Janaclies studio”, Alexandria, Egypt.
Collaborations:
Publications: “The Guardian” UK, “Correspondents” Germany, “Cengage Learning EMEA” UK,“Dalloz” France, “Al-watan” Egypt, “Al-Shorouk” Egypt.
Wire agencies: “Anadolu Agency” Turkey, “Xinhua News Agency“ China.
Research centers: “The American University in Cairo”, “Arab Urban Development institute”, “The Human and the City for Human and Social Research”,
NGOs: ”Unesco”, “The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab"