Sudanese photographer Hashim Nasr uses red fabric in his work to symbolize blood, trauma, and loss caused by the ongoing war in Sudan. Before the conflict began in 2023, Nasr’s photographs often featured flowers and hearts, challenging traditional ideas of masculinity.
Now, his art portrays anonymous figures in white robes and conical masks, with red fabric flowing to represent violence and displacement. One image shows two masked figures watching a television from which red fabric spills, symbolizing the constant stream of tragic news from Sudan.
Nasr, who has lived in Egypt since April 2023, says he and his family watch news coverage showing destruction and bloodshed in their homeland. Other photos depict red fabric trailing from suitcases and between buildings, illustrating how the war has forced millions of Sudanese to flee their homes.
Once a dentist, Nasr now uses photography to raise awareness of Sudan’s humanitarian crisis, describing a “heavy weight” to speak out. The conflict has displaced over 3.3 million people, including 1.5 million in Egypt and 8 million internally displaced within Sudan.
Nasr’s uncle died trapped at home during clashes, unable to receive dialysis treatment, highlighting the crisis’s deadly impact. Nasr began focusing on photography during the Covid-19 pandemic, shifting from dentistry to documenting Sudan’s ongoing suffering through art.
