Tor Seidel
Tor Seidel is a German artist, photographer, curator, and educator whose practice explores contemporary visual culture, urban narratives, and conceptual storytelling. Based in the United Arab Emirates, his work moves fluidly between photography, artist books, and exhibition-making, with a strong emphasis on research-driven, critically engaged visual enquiry.
Alongside his artistic practice, Seidel is deeply involved in education and curatorial development, contributing to the region’s evolving cultural and photographic landscape through teaching, writing, and institutional collaboration.
He has published books on the United Arab Emirates: The Dubai (Hatje Cantz, 2015) and Mannequins (Kerber, 2018), and has exhibited in Paris, Dubai, London, Miami, Berlin, Sharjah, Athens, and Venice, among other places. Kerber Verlag published another artist’s book, In Uncharted Seidel has published several acclaimed artist books, including The Dubai with Hatje Cantz in 2015 and Mannequins with Kerber Verlag in 2018. His publication In Uncharted Territories, released by Kerber Verlag in 2021, accompanied his first institutional solo exhibition at the Maraya Art Centre in Sharjah in 2020, marking a significant milestone in his career. His work has been exhibited internationally in cities including Paris, Dubai, London, Miami, Berlin, Sharjah, Athens, and Venice. He has received notable recognition, including the Syngenta Photo Award in 2017, and nominations for the German Photobook Award in 2015 and 2018. He also participated in Tashweesh 2019, presented by UAE Unlimited in collaboration with the Maraya Art Centre.
In addition to his artistic output, Seidel is an active curator of conceptual exhibitions, working with galleries and cultural institutions across the region. His curatorial projects have included exhibitions at the Maraya Art Centre in Sharjah and contributions to the Xposure International Photography Festival 2023. His approach to curation reflects a strong interest in interdisciplinary dialogue and critical discourse.
He is currently curating Mylysses at the House of Wisdom in Sharjah, bringing together voices from science, philosophy, and contemporary art. The exhibition includes contributions from John Kaag and Shaikha Mazroua, among others, reinforcing his commitment to cross disciplinary collaboration. Seidel also lectures in photography and video at the Academy of Arts, Sharjah.
Books, exhibitions, and projects
The Dubai, Hatje Cantz, 2015
Mannequins, Kerber Verlag, 2018
In Uncharted Territories, Kerber Verlag, 2021
Riposte, XVA Gallery, Dubai
Mylysses, House of Wisdom, Sharjah