Qatar cuts key interest rates by 25 bps    Global pressure mounts on Israel as Gaza death toll surges, war deepens    Egypt targets 7.7% AI contribution to GDP by 2030: Communications Minister    Irrigation Minister highlights Egypt's water challenges, innovation efforts at DAAD centenary celebration    Egypt discusses strengthening agricultural ties, investment opportunities with Indian delegation    Al-Sisi welcomes Spain's monarch in historic first visit, with Gaza, regional peace in focus    Cairo governor briefs PM on Khan el-Khalili, Rameses Square development    El Gouna Film Festival's 8th edition to coincide with UN's 80th anniversary    Egypt expands medical, humanitarian support for Gaza patients    Egypt condemns Israeli offensive in Gaza City, warns of grave regional consequences    Cairo University, Roche Diagnostics inaugurate automated lab at Qasr El-Ainy    Egypt investigates disappearance of ancient bracelet from Egyptian Museum in Tahrir    Egypt launches international architecture academy with UNESCO, European partners    Egypt signs MoUs with 3 European universities to advance architecture, urban studies    Egypt's Sisi, Qatar's Emir condemn Israeli strikes, call for Gaza ceasefire    Egypt condemns terrorist attack in northwest Pakistan    Egyptian pound ends week lower against US dollar – CBE    Egypt hosts G20 meeting for 1st time outside member states    Egypt to tighten waste rules, cut rice straw fees to curb pollution    Egypt seeks Indian expertise to boost pharmaceutical industry    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Here is Cairo
Celebrating the city he calls “a metropolis of surprises”, Farid Fadel exhibits an enchanting collection of paintings at the Picasso Art Gallery, located right in the heart of Cairo
Published in Ahram Online on 20 - 04 - 2011

Through a truly versatile collection, Farid Fadel was inspired by the city's understated elegance and undeniable heritage. “By world standards this is not a city of outer beauty, yet it offers so much in terms of history and culture,” reads Fadel's artist statement. Fadel believes that it would take more than a lifetime to paint Cairo in its entirety, with its excess of angles and forces.
The gallery was stuffed with eager art enthusiasts and supporters on opening night. You are forced to walk sideways just to make your way past the eclectic crowd; it's loud, and on this particularly warm night, the exhibition's title, “Here is Cairo” suddenly makes absolute sense. A microcosm of the city confined to this white-walled gallery, Fadel's paintings together with the fervent spectators embody Cairo; full of life, colour and noise.
A complex, love-hate relationship with Cairo pushes the artist to explore its every corner, and to paint it with unwavering passion. And through this exhibition, Fadel manages to capture much more than snapshots of everyday life in Cairo; he records the city's spirit.
Through skillful manipulation of light, Fadel orchestrates his compositions to illuminate not only features, but also feelings. An old man sipping his cup of tea demands deep reflection. His forehead catches the sunlight, his cheeks curl up into a heart-felt smile, and his eyelids meet while he takes his final sip of tea.
Fadel paints a promenade of authentic Cairene scenes. The batata (sweet potato) vendor shoots you a toothy smile; the old man savors his cup of tea in the local ahwa (cafe), and loaves of bread pile up on street corners.
A soft paintbrush runs through all his canvases; Fadel's brushstrokes softly embrace his subjects, giving his paintings a dream-like quality. It feels like déjà-vu.
The authenticity of his paintings can be accounted for by Fadel's utterly hands-on approach towards art. He revels in sketching in the heart of Cairo, and spends hours on end among the subjects that end up on his canvas. “There is something magical about completing a drawing on location as you watch the light shift, hear the birds sing, and exchange small talk with curious onlookers,” writes the artist.
Despite the enduring, underlying Cairo spirit, Fadel's palette evolves and changes from piece to piece. Fresh tints and tones burst through his canvases, rendering each one unique. The effects are sometimes subtle, and at other times bold, and it is this refreshing versatility that urges you to tread on, only to discover more surprises.
Waiting in line to get to the other side of the exhibition hall, you are happily occupied by a painting unusual in both style and subject. Spurts of garlic hang just outside a window, each white sphere inimitable. The artist recreates the garlic shell's texture through applying thick, untamed strokes of creamy white paint. You are tempted to peel it off - surely not the best idea, for about a million of the art fans presentwould testify against you in court.
Fadel captures spontaneous snapshots of life in Cairo. The artist paints a man mid-prayer, his arms outstretched towards the sky, his eye revealing a sparkle of hope. Another man's fingers are raised, reading to strike the tabla (drum) and let the joy of music reverberate throughout the sky.
Other depictions are less spur of the moment, yet equally moving. One of the gallery's most atmospheric pieces is a composition of five Sufi dancers, their arms in motion, their white galabiyyas (gowns) twirling with a muted swish, capturing shades of blue and red. Fadel makes diligent use of his canvas, and so in the top right corner four doves flutter their wings in ecstasy.
Farid Fadel dedicates a few paintings to the January 25 Revolution, which he describes as the uprising which “restored Egypt to its people's embrace.”
Upon entrance, a few paintings featuring the Egyptian flag, the Revolution's martyrs, and the Egyptian spirit, greet you. Tahrir Square influenced Fadel as it has so many other contemporary Egyptian artists.
A young Egyptian stretches the Egyptian flag across a refreshingly blue sky, a triumphant smile on his face, while white doves fly about, celebrating. The young man's red sleeve merges with the red flag, creating an unbreakable bond. “I believe Cairo still has many surprises up its sleeve…just wait and see,” says Fadel.


Clic here to read the story from its source.