Born in Beirut in 1950, he completed his high school studies at the International College, with a Bachelor Degree in Architecture in 1974 from the American University of Beirut. An accomplished illustrator, Sawaf obtained a certification in animation from the Bob Godfrey studio, London in 1975. Over the past 40 years, he has spent his time in the field of construction and development. He has also founded a family holding company, Al Maymouna Holding S.A.L, to invest and manage various projects in the fields of construction, health, food, and textiles. Sawaf is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of the American University of Beirut since 2014, a member of the Board of Trustees of the International College Beirut School since 2015, and a member of the Board of Trustees of social welfare institutions in Lebanon, the Islamic Orphanage since 2022.
In addition to that Mutaz’s love for cartoon and comics show through the initiative he first started at the American University of Beirut that later turned into The Rada and Mutaz Sawaf Center for Arab Comics Studies IN 2023. It is an academic body that will act as a hub for the critical study of Comics art from the Arab World. The center will also continue on what Mr. Mutaz’s initiative started and that is the prestigious annual pan-Arab Mahmoud Kahil Award, showcasing talents from the region to a wide audience, through the launch of a book, an exhibition, and the award ceremony. Parallel to that he established Tosh Fesh, a non-profit company that is aimed at promoting Arab artists around the world in the art of caricature and comics as well as producing different publications, productions, events, and building an online database to help reach a wider audience around the world.
 |
 |
 |