A dual exhibition of paintings by Amina Salem and Adham Badawy is on display at Picasso gallery in Zamalek. On her work Amina Salem says, “I like to paint characters that add life to the painting, enriching the models with patterns, using oil colours, collage or decoupage to make them lively. I want to emphasise their presence by applying a top layer of paint as I did in my exhibition ‘Vintage' in 2018. This led to further experiments – painting on a sculpture. This form is represented in my art as Venus, the goddess of love and beauty in Greek mythology. It's a concept of divine beauty personified by making the torso faceless, armless, and legless, thereby highlighting its limitless potential. Some of Salem's sculptures were inspired by well-known paintings from such painters as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Modigliani, and Johannes Vermeer. You can also see models of the iconic Arab singer Umm Kolthoum, and other international actresses in her work. Salem is always challenging herself, experimenting with and stretching new and exciting ideas. 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The exhibition continues through 3 March. *A version of this article appears in print in the 20 February, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.