Mohamed Taman spent close to twenty years inventing a technical process that he dubs “Tamanism.” Characterized by layers of colors and materials, Taman forms by hand; the unconventional process involves many petroleum derivatives and oil oxides to create works based on chemical reactions. Using petroleum solvents to agitate the process, heat to provide flexibility, and low temperature to dry, Tamam uses the critical time between heat and cold to control and experiment with lines, shapes, and liquid colors on the surface of the wooden canvas. The result is an intended blurry view that challenges first impressions and incites the viewer to question what they see, hear, and read. What appears to be definite from afar, when examined close-up, is multi-dimensional and intricate.
Born in Tanta (Gharbiya governorate) in 1976, Mohamed Taman graduated with a BFA in 1998. He completed a Master’s degree in Digital Arts at the Faculty of Arts Education, University of Helwan, in 2004. In 2001, he was awarded the Third Prize at the 11th Youth Salon, and in 2002, he earned the First Prize at the 12th Youth Salon, both held by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture. In 2008, Taman enrolled at the Université Lumière Lyon in France. In 2009, he went on an Artist in Residency at one of the most important institutions for young artists in Switzerland, the KunstHalle, Sankt Gallen, to work on a site-specific project. Since, he has exhibited in Egypt, Europe, and the Gulf.