Among the masterpieces permanently on display at the Museum of Modern Art, created by a galaxy of Egypt's pioneering artists, are the water-colour paintings of artist Kawkab Youssef Al-Assal(1909- 2009). She is considered, together with artists Zeinab Abdu and Effat Nagui, the pioneering artists who played a crucial role in reinforcing the female presence in the world of culture and art. According to late critic Ahmed Fouad Selim,"Al-Assal's deep and serene feelings are brilliantly reflected on the delicate choice of colours that are extremely lightening. She was born in Shubra in 1909. Her father encouraged her when she graduated from Al-Saniyya School in 1929, to travel to England. She won a scholarship to study at the Hornsey School of Art, North London, from where she graduated in 1934 with diplomas in drawing and painting. Though she has participated in several group shows, and received several awards in the 1940s, she had only staged two solo exhibitions, in 1972 and 1999. The latter showcased a series of watercolour nudes produced in the 1930s. It was only when the import of oil paints was banned in the 1960s, that she turned to watercolours full time.She occupied several posts such as teaching drawing at Al-SaniyyaSecondary School in 1934 and teaching fine arts in the High Institute of Female Teachers of Arts in 1939. She participated in several local exhibitions such as the Cairo Ladies Club exhibition in 1943, the annual exhibition of Fine Arts Lovers in Cairo, the 1960 Autumn exhibition and the Cairo Atelier exhibition. Among her international participations were four Alexandria International Biennale in 1955,1957,1959,1961. Her name is mentioned in the Dictionary of the Famous Egyptian and Foreign Fine Artists, by artist Fahima Amin Ibrahim in 1971. She received the painting prize at the exhibition of Fine Arts Lovers in 1958 and the certificate of Merit and a medal from the Culture Minister then Farouk Hosni in 1995. Her private collection is found at art lovers in Egypt and foreign countries: England, France, Sweden, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerlands, Denmark, Norway, Greece, United States and Lebanon. Some of her works are considered part of the acquisitions of the Ministry of Culture and the Academy of Arts in Cairo.
