Egbert Marday:
Transforming Memory into Form
Egbert Marday is one of Seychelles’ foremost visual artists – a painter and sculptor whose work powerfully fuses material, history, and identity. Born in Victoria, Mahé in 1953, his path from science and education to fine art – refined through studies in Canada – shapes a practice grounded in structure, transformation, and meaning.
Over a career spanning four decades, Marday has helped define Seychelles’ cultural landscape. From teaching and leading arts development at national level to his work with the National Museum of Natural History, his influence extends well beyond the studio. Since 1999, he has worked as a full-time artist from his La Misère studio.
Among his favourite exhibitions was the one entitled ‘Paintings and Sculptures’ held in 2003 at the Alliance Francaise in celebration of his 50th birthday, which was very well received by the islands’ artistic community. One of his primary influences is the moutya drums, in his opinion Seychelles’ very own form of blues or jazz and now proudly forming part of UNESCO World Heritage.
Working with wood, metal, and reclaimed materials, Marday creates bold assemblages and reliefs that carry the weight of memory and place. His work has been exhibited internationally – from Canada and Europe to India – with key solo exhibitions including ZMORFOZ (2009), Relief (2011), and Kokosye 7 (2019), alongside participation in major platforms such as the Lalit Kala Triennale in New Delhi.
In 2026, Marday reached another major milestone when he was selected to represent Seychelles at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia. As the sole artist representing Seychelles at one of the world's most prestigious contemporary art events, his participation marks a historic achievement for both the artist and the nation's cultural heritage, further reinforcing his international reputation.
His achievements include the Seychelles Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement (2019) and the Grand Prix du Président at the Seychelles Biennale. His public commissions – ranging from national monuments to landmark sculptures – are embedded in the visual identity of Seychelles.
At the centre of his exhibition showcasing the blight of slavery, the Pompe Story transforms a historic act of resistance into a powerful visual language. Through raw textures and layered form, Marday reanimates the past – creating work that is immediate, immersive, and enduring.
Rooted in Seychelles, his work resonates far beyond – shaping memory, meaning, and cultural identity.