Ibrahim Ahmed — Artist

Does anybody leave heaven? 2019

“Does Anybody Leave Heaven?" is an assemblage tapestry made with textile items found in Egyptian street markets, clothing, bags and other items, which are printed with the flag of the United States of America. I live in a popular working class area, where most of my social network there is composed of young males who have not been able to travel outside Egypt. When explaining in conversation that I left the US to relocate to Cairo in 2014, I am consistently asked the question, “Does Anybody Leave Heaven?” In the world of my peers, Cairo is a place to escape and the USA is a place to dream about arriving at its shores. The piece presented at the Havana Biennial is a commentary on the constructed mythology and fetishism surrounding the US as a place of desire and opportunity, particularly by underprivileged young males who have normalized wearing the American flag in the streets of Cairo where popular markets supply this imagery on a variety of wearable products. The installation, hanging across the ceiling, resembles the ceiling paintings in ancient Egyptian temples that are adorned with night skies and yellow stars.

Does Anybody Leave Heaven – 10x4m – 2019

Does Anybody Leave Heaven – 10x4m – 2019

Does Anybody Leave Heaven – 10x4m – 2019 (with artist Ahmed Laithey)

Does Anybody Leave Heaven Installation Shot – Primary Space, Nottingham England 2019

Does Anybody Leave Heaven Installation Shot – Primary Space, Nottingham England 2019

Does Anybody Leave Heaven Installation Shot – Primary Space, Nottingham England 2019

Does Anybody Leave Heaven “50 Photos in Havana” Installation Shot – Primary Space, Nottingham England 2019

Does Anybody Leave Heaven “50 Photos in Havana” Installation Shot – Primary Space, Nottingham England 2019

Does Anybody Leave Heaven “50 Photos in Havana” Installation Shot – Primary Space, Nottingham England 2019

Does Anybody Leave Heaven “US Flag in Aswan” (Commissioned video piece by Karim Elhayawan) Installation Shot – Primary Space, Nottingham England 2019

Does Anybody Leave Heaven “US Flag in Aswan” (Commissioned video piece by Karim Elhayawan) Installation Shot – Primary Space, Nottingham England 2019

Does Anybody Leave Heaven “US Flag in Aswan” (Commissioned video piece by Karim Elhayawan) Installation Shot – Primary Space, Nottingham England 2019

Installation Shot – Institute for Contemporary Art, VCU – 2021 – Photography by David Hale

Installation Shot – Institute for Contemporary Art, VCU – 2021 – Photography by David Hale

Installation Shot – Institute for Contemporary Art, VCU – 2021 – Photography by David Hale

Installation Shot – Institute for Contemporary Art, VCU – 2021 – Photography by David Hale