Long recognised and acclaimed as an influential figure in Sudanese art, Otaybi’s painterly language has evolved throughout his career, consolidating his reputation and strength as a colourist. Architectural and decorative motifs and calligraphic forms populate his paintings. Layering hues to create depth and vibration add to the mythological and dreamlike quality of his paintings, which reference a cultural past. Otaybi is also a celebrated cartoonist and illustrator, and elements of his graphic and satirical approach often translate into his paintings.

Otaybi’s lyrical images of life, nature, music and a heritage that combines Islamic symbolism and a modern multicultural way of life in Sudan, speaks of his country’s past and present and resonates with people across the world. Since the overthrow of the Sudanese Government in 2018 and the continued protests, artists have been at the forefront of political activism. Otaybi’s images of life, nature, music and Sudanese heritage combine Islamic symbolism with a modern multicultural way of life and resonate with people across the world.

As well as holding regular solo exhibitions in Khartoum, North Africa and the Arab world from 1970 to the present, he has shown in international group exhibitions including the Sharjah Biennial, UAE, 1993; Modernism in Sudanese Art, British Museum, London, 2004; Sudan: Emergence of Singularities, P21 Gallery, London, 2017 and Khartoum Contemporary, Circle Art Gallery, Nairobi, 2017. His work features in private and public collections including the National Museum in Sharjah. In 2018, Otaybi was the focus of the article ‘Masters We Need to Master’, Collector Magazine, Art Africa.