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Contemporary art in Egypt

Contemporary art in Egypt refers to visual art, including installations, videos, paintings, or sculptures, developed in the Egyptian art scene. While the contemporary art scene is mainly concentrated in Cairo and Alexandria, it is developing fast with the emergence of spaces for artists, and support from the public or from abroad. Many Egyptian artists use the Egyptian contemporary art scene as a ramp toward the international art scenes.

Mohamed Nagi

[3]

(1891–1934)

Mahmoud Mokhtar

Ramy Asaad

Ragheb Ayad (1892–1982)

[4]

Alaa Awad

Aya Tarek

Chico

El Teneen

Ganzeer

Keizer

Monalisa Brigades

El Zeft

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Themes[edit]

Ancient history[edit]

Artists took their inspiration in Egyptian pharaonic heritage, which is omnipresent in Egypt, through paintings, architecture or sculptures. The main occurring symbol is the pyramid, repeatedly used by artists, as a way of expressing the Egyptian national identity.


Mostafa Abdel Moity's work, the Pyramid motif is strongly present in most of his sculptures. He often represents the three Great Pyramids of Gizeh. This is a way a reaffirming the strong influence of Egyptian ancient history.


The Nile is also a very recurring aspect of Egyptian culture and beliefs, a sign of fertility, but also in Egyptian contemporary art. Mythological stories from Ancient Egypt often use the Nile as the center of the story, and so do Egyptian contemporary artists.

Religion[edit]

The religious aspect is also repeatedly used in Egyptian contemporary Art either through the form of calligraphy or the description of Islamic events . Classical calligraphy is a source of inspiration for a lot of artworks, and its evolution through the centuries has made it a rich theme in Egyptian contemporary art. In works by Taha Hussein, the aesthetic aspect of the calligraphy is studied by the artist, mostly superposition of letters written in unreadable calligraphy.

Women[edit]

Women are also a frequent theme in Egyptian contemporary art. Inji Efflatoun, in her paintings often depicts women in different positions. This represent the burden Egyptian women are carrying since their birth because of their gender. Injy Efflatoun was well known to be a feminist, fighting for women rights through her work. Gazbia Sirry is another beloved Egyptian artist whose depictions of women made her one of the most pivotal activists for women's rights in the region.[32]

Gezira Center for Modern Art

Museum of Modern Art in Egypt

Alaa Awad: Born in 1981 Alaa Awad is an Egyptian artist and muralist based in Luxor, Egypt. Awad is an Egyptian artist known for his public murals in Cairo and Luxor, Egypt. He is well known for his murals created on Mohamed Mahmoud Street in Cairo, Egypt in 2012 during the Egyptian Revolution, which took media attention. His public murals and paintings encompass the history, dignity and charisma of the Egyptian people. He has worked internationally, in both solo exhibitions for his oil paintings and outdoor public murals.

[35]

Aya Tarek: Born in Alexandria, Egypt in 1989, Aya Tarek is a painter, street artist and illustrator with an exciting portfolio of diverse art projects, feature films and art collaborations in countries ranging from São Paulo to Frankfurt. Her work explores the different interchanges within modes of urban communication and the dynamic of a public space. Using a vibrant, comic derived aesthetic, and often working through site-specific murals, she aims to trigger a humorous sense of controversy, investigating different ideas pertaining to the different public contexts. Tarek has showcased her artwork in various exhibitions and events around the world, including Omar A Sharif Mural, Antigel Festival, Geneva (2018), Sprezzatura, SOMA Art, Cairo (2018), Aya in America, Portland (2017), Paper Trail, Gypsum Gallery, Cairo (2017), Objects in the Mirror Are Closer than They Appear, SOMA Art, Cairo (2017), Afreaka Festival, São Paulo (2016), World Premiere of a New Mural by Aya Tarek, USF Contemporary Art Museum, Florida (2015), Urban Art Biennale, Weltkulturerbe Völklinger Hütte, Völklingen (2015), Djerbahood, Itinerrance Gallery, Djerba (2014), Vagabonds Congress, Theatre RMPH, Stuttgart (2014), Cityleaks, Cologne (2013), White Walls, Beirut Art Centre, Beirut (2012), Arabic Graffiti & Egyptian Street Art in Frankfurt, Frankfurt (2012), Ankh Project, ITP Berlin (2011), Graffiti: Style/ History/ Experience, Goethe Institute, Alexandria (2011), Bytes and Pieces, Sharjah Art Foundation, Sharjah (2011), Shopping Malls, Alexandria Contemporary Art Forum, Alexandria (2010), PICK 4, Townhouse Gallery, Cairo (2009).

Britt Boutros Ghali: Born in Norway in 1937, and living in Egypt for over 40 years working in a studio houseboat on the Nile River, Cairo. Boutros-Ghali has been awarded the St. Olav Order by King Haakon of Norway, the highest order given to artists in Norway, and her works have been displayed internationally throughout her career.

[36]

Mohamed Abla: Born in 1953 in Belqas, near Mansoura, Egypt, Abla is an internationally celebrated artist working in paint and sculpture. He graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts in Alexandria in 1977 and traveled to Europe in 1978. He spent seven years there, studying sculpture in Zurich and graphics in Vienna, educating himself on the schools of modern art throughout the continent.

[37]

Nazir Tanbouli: Born in 1971 in Alexandria into a family of artists (his uncle is painter Ibrahim El Tanbouli and his great-uncle is Lotfy El Tanbouli) Nazir Tanbouli studied at the University of Alexandria for his BFA in Expressive Art, and then at Camberwell College of the University of the Arts London for his MFA. Tanbouli founded the first contemporary mural painting crew in Egypt in the 90s, challenging the older tradition of mural painting (associated with the state) fusing pop art and transnational cultural forms with Egyptian aesthetics. He exhibited in Egypt, Europe and Latin America before moving to the UK. Ignoring trends and fashions Tanbouli has stubbornly stuck to being a painter, and his work continues to explore and transfigure Egyptian motifs in conjunction with current global issues. He works in painting, mural and drawing, producing exhibitions, books and unusual projects. In 2012 he was responsible for the "biggest street art project by one artist" in the UK. This project is the subject of a documentary 'Taking Over the King's Land', released in 2013. In 2012 Tanbouli won the UAL Creative Enterprise Award[39]

[38]

Sameh Al Tawil: Born in 1978 in Cairo is an Egyptian New media artist and photographer known for his contributions in the exploration of political and human rights issues in the Middle East.[41] His work combines film, performance, digital installations, and storytelling to provide a perspective on these complex subjects, often viewed through the lens of Egyptian culture and identity. Al Tawil has a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from the Faculty of Applied Arts in Egypt.[42] He acquired a Diploma of Fine Art from the Academy of Fine Arts (ADBK). Additionally, He studied Media Art Histories at the Danube University in Krems, Austria.[41] Sameh has showcased his artwork in various exhibitions and events around the world, including "Kunst am boden" Exhibition for Endless Journey project(2003), "Ma'am / Grave" Dom Museum, Frankfurt for Just in Time(2003), Goethe-Institute Cairo for Kopf - Head (2004), Patricia Gruel in Uban Gallery for Vistiors(2005),[43][44]  Fine art academy Hall, Munich, for No Way (2005), Architectural pheromones hall, Jeddah, KSA for SOLO Project(2006)[45] stadtgalerie, Bern, Switzerland and Ithuba Gallery, Johannesburg, ZA. for VS Versa(2013), [46] 5th Cairo Video festival and Afiriperfoma Fest., Zimbabwe for A442Hz project(2013),[47][48] Diplom Exhibition 2014 for Clockwise, 18th Edition of ISAF Sharja, UAE for Door to Paradise[49] 22nd Edition of ISAF Sharja,UAE exhibition for Ask Google,  Cairotronica cairo and Nexus group Exhibition for Chaos [50] He also won multiple award for his art and video installation which includes Youth Salon Award (1999,2000, 2004), Cannes Lions Silver 2021, 2 Effie Awards 2017 & 2019, EME Award 2018, Comprix Award 2018, BestCss award, AdsOfTheWorld 2020, Vuforia Vision Award 2015. He got a commission from the Contemporary Art Museum in Munich for the SOLO project (2003). His most recognized work includes Ready to Go, Not for Sale[51] and IDEMixer.[52][53][54]

[40]

Wael Shawky: Born in 1971 Alexandria, Wael Shawky studied at the University of Alexandria for his BFA, and then at the University of Pennsylvania for his MFA. His work has been showcased all over Europe and the United States, as well as in Egypt. He also took part in the Venice Biennale of 2003. One of the main themes tackled in his deliberately provocative work is what constitutes "normality" and "abnormality", whether in his installations, photography or performance. His work includes Digital Church (2007), The Cave (2006) and Al Aqsa Park (2006)

[33]

Artbeat Festival: Founded in 2010, Artbeat is a free 3-day annual festival combining visual art, music and various art workshops by local and international artists. The festival takes place today in Cairo, Alexandria, Mansoura and Minya.

[55]

Di-Egy Festival 0.1: Launched in 2013, Di-Egy Festival 0.1 is the first digital art festival happening in Cairo. Combining exhibition and workshops, it aims to challenge artists and audiences on the question of how electronics have altered the art world, especially after the 25th of January revolution.

[56]

: Founded in 2012, this multi-disciplinary festival brings a wide range of independent visual art exhibitions, film screenings, theatre, dance, music and workshops to various venues across downtown Cairo. Gathering local, regional and international artists, the festival seeks to enshrine the place of art and culture in Egypt's evolving society.[57]

Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival (D-CAF)

Hal Badeel (Alternative Solution) is a three-week festival founded in March 2013 and providing free of charge events, from music, theatre and dance to clown and mime performances. It has been created in reaction to the closing down of the Rawabet Theatre in Downtown Cairo and the lack of free, independent performance spaces for artists in Cairo.

[58]

Mahatat Collective: Founded in 2011, Mahatat is a multi-disciplinary mobile art initiative whose goal is the accessibility and decentralization of contemporary art by the development of art in public space and community-based art projects all over Egypt.

[59]

Cairotronica: was founded as the Cairo Electronic and New Media Arts Festival, which is a biannual festival established in 2016 that showcases emerging and established new media artists and offers transformational learning experiences.

[60]

Academy of Arts

's Department of the Arts

American University in Cairo

The Townhouse Gallery

- first Contemporary Dance school in Africa and the Arab world

Cairo Contemporary Dance Center

The Townhouse Gallery

Culture of Egypt

– the country's national pavilion at the Venice Biennale

Egyptian pavilion

Darb 1718

Arab culture

List of Egyptians

Amirsadeghi Hossein, Mikdadi Salwa, Shabout Nada, New Vision: Arab Contemporary Art in the 21st Century, Thames and Hudson, 2009.

Boraie Sherif, ed. Wall Talk: Graffiti of the Egyptian Revolution, Zeitouna, 2012.

Eigner Saeb, Art of the Middle East: Modern and Contemporary Art of the Arab World and Iran, Merrell Publishers Ltd, 2010.

Farjam Lisa, Unveiled: New Art from the Middle East, Booth-Clibborn Editions, 2009.

Grondahl Mia, Revolution Graffiti. Street Art of the New Egypt, Thames & Hudson, 2013.

Shabout Nada, Modern Arab Art: Formation of Arab Aesthetics, University Press of Florida, 2007.

Sloman Paul, Contemporary Art in the Middle East: Artworld, Black Dog Publishing, 2009.