Malek Gnaoui (b. 1983) is an artist of Tunisian origin who lives and works in Tunis. Trained in ceramics at the École d’Art et de Décoration, Tunis, and the Sidi Kacem Jlizi Ceramics Center, Tunis, he builds an intimate relationship with material, gesture, and the temporality of making. Rooted in artisanal practice and extended into contemporary art, his work addresses social conditions and the notion of human sacrifice through video, ceramics, printmaking, installation, sound, and performance. By combining everyday materials with traditional techniques, he explores materiality and the social and cultural contexts that shape it. Physical engagement introduces a performative dimension, while his interest in the spiritual weaves together popular imagery, traditional practices, and collective memory. His projects trace dialogues between ancient and contemporary civilizations, bridging architectural heritage, ancestral knowledge, and urban realities. His work has been presented at October Salon, Belgrade, Sharjah Biennial, Sharjah, Dream City Biennale, Tunis, Shubbak Festival, London, and KANAL, Brussels. Works by the artist are held in collections including the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, and the British Museum, London.
