Since the ‘60s, many innocent Sudanese have been taken into custody, interrogated, tortured, and in some cases lost their lives. Having suffered himself, Elmur aims to highlight the humanity in those who have endured this mistreatment. His paintings are inspired by his research into the history of ‘mug shot,’ the repetitive, bland nature of which desensitises us to the human stories of these individuals. As a painter, filmmaker, photographer, and author, multiple elements come into play within his recent series. Each painting tells its own story of the individual within the wider historical narrative of the penal system, forcing us to reflect on our assumptions and prejudices.
Elmur’s work has been shown at The Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden (MACAAL), Marrakech; The Sharjah Art Museum and the Sharjah Art Foundation.