Experimental modern Egyptian art in India

Contemporary art from Egypt has made a trip to India.

New Delhi, May 24: Contemporary art from Egypt, which is synonymous with the legends of Pharaohs, has made a trip to India.Works by nine artists from the country is currently on display in the national capital as part of an exhibition aimed at strengthening the bond between the two countries.

"We have a selection of the best young Egyptian talent and representative of the symbolic choice of the current generation of Egyptian artists," says Mohammed Higazy, Egypt`s Ambassador to India. Typically, art for ancient Egyptians was an integral part of how they viewed the world around them. The aim seemed to be to depict things not as seen by ordinary people but as idealised symbols that would ensure a continuity of the universe, the gods and their kings. "Out of the 36 paintings brought here, some are experimental, some three dimensional, they explore different orientations," Dina el Sehy, Counsellor, Egyptian Embassy told reporters. Known to be influenced by mainly geometric designs and known for their diversity, the present generation of artists is open to experimentation and every artist in the "Colours of Egyptian art exhibition" seemed to have had a message to deliver. "The artists have used stone, paper, palms, shells and other organic materials in their works and there is some sort of continuity in all their works," points out Sehy who has visited some exhibitions of Indian artists and finds their works rich in colours. Led by veteran artist Ahmed Abdel Karim the eight participating artists are Rafky al Razaz, Khaled Aboul Magd, Yaseer Mongi, Reem Hassan, Walid Kanosh, Hawayda al Sebaay, Ahmed Refaat and Salah el Meligi. "We use art to depict religion, day to day life and life beyond life. The contemporary fine art movement is continually struggling to rejuvenate the way of thinking in the field of art," says Ambassador Higazy. "The artists have tried to showcase the similarities between India and Egypt, both an interesting potpourri of ancient heritage and modern civilization where colour has played a dominant role throughout the history of art," he points out. The exhibition held in collaboration with the Egyptian Embassy and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations is scheduled to be open at the IGNCA till the end of the month. Traditionally the mediums with which Egyptian artists worked were varied using stones and metal. Among colours the Egyptians used black to symbolize new life, resurrection and the resurrected as well as the god of the dead, Osiris. Red, brown, yellow and gold were used to symbolise the sun and green referred to fresh, growing vegetation, new life and resurrection. Bureau Report