A painting exhibition featuring the works of prolific artist Samir Fouad opened at the Ofok Gallery in Dokki yesterday. The artworks, dated between 2002 and 2018, are concerned with local society and the cultural and behavioral changes that have occurred over time, juxtaposed against tradition and what is described as the “true Egyptian character”. In some of his paintings Fouad uses commercial logos as the backdrop to everyday scenes in Cairo. One painting features three girls wearing galabeyas and eating watermelon with their hands, with the bright yellow McDonald's logo on a wall behind them. The painting manages to seem both staged but also perfectly natural as a scene from the Egyptian streets. Artwork by Samir Fouad (Photo: courtesy of the Fine Arts Sector) “[Fouad] has a world of his own, where women are often the stars, either to reflect their issues and interests or as a symbol that can represent humanity,” said Khaled Sorour, head of the Fine Arts Sector, commenting on the exhibition. “His reductive style and use of symbols deliberately gives space for the viewer to add his own interpretations and not merely become a recipient of the artist's commentary.” He also noted the visible brushstrokes, describing them as "mesmerizing strokes in motion" that make the viewer imagine the minute they touched the canvas. Born in Cairo in 1944, Fouad has been an active artist since the 1980s, with several group exhibtions and solo shows, including last year's exhibition at Picasso. He is the author of an Arabic artbook on watercolor painting, and the subject of another critical book by Fatma Ali, published in 2016 and looking at the stages of his long career. Artwork by Samir Fouad (Photo: courtesy of the Fine Arts Sector) Artwork by Samir Fouad (Photo: courtesy of the Fine Arts Sector) Artwork by Samir Fouad (Photo: courtesy of the Fine Arts Sector) Artwork by Samir Fouad (Photo: courtesy of the Fine Arts Sector) Programme: The exhibition runs till 11 February Ofok Gallery, Mahmoud Khalil Museum, Dokki, Cairo
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