Once again the gifted artist Samir Fouad inspired lovers of his work with his latest exhibition of paintings, “Nostalgia”, currently on show at Picasso gallery in Zamalek. The artist said that he was motivated by a sense of yearning for the past because as he grows older, he finds less and less to look forward to in the future. He would rather be imprisoned in the past, isolating himself from the ugly and sad present: “I feel very sorry for the country and I now fear the worst.” The exhibition showcases 50 paintings in oil and aquarelle and it is a semi-retrospective in which the artist recalls his entire project over the last 10 years, but the majority of the works on show were produced between 2010 and 2013. Fouad tackles various themes such woman and still life. The spontaneity and freshness of the aquarelle colours and the ecstasy felt by the artist the moment his brush touches the white surface is vividly clear in the paintings themselves. Many unfinished paintings were completed for the present exhibition in an attempt to recall what stimulated the artist at first. Born in 1944, Fouad has been playing a vital role in the Egyptian art scene since the 1980s. He made his name as an artist who has a unique style of recalling time and movement in the painting. In addition, he has compiled several books on art such as his book on aquarelle colours which is one of its kind in Arabic. The exhibition is continued through 10 May. Nagwa El-Ashri
