For the third consecutive week, Al-Masar gallery's "Contemporary Visions" annual group exhibition marking the gallery's sixth anniversary is covered; however, the focus this week is on the art of Omar Al-Nagdi. He belongs to the first generation and the paintings on show represent the recent stages of his art. The exhibition is filled with colourful paintings that mix a contemporary style with traditional folkloric symbols.Known as 'space lover', the colours and life reflected on canvas are inspired by the Pharaonic and Islamic art and his paintings not only depict decorations but are considered a unique rendition of Sufi transparent journey in the universe space. Delving deeply into Al-Nagdi's world of art, the viewer will find himself in the middle of a very contradicted world, yet still very harmonious; a world rich in colours, dimensions and figures. The viewer is lost in a surreal. There is always a silent intimacy between the man and the woman he paints. Born in Cairo in 1931, Al-Nagdi studied at the Faculty of Fine Arts Helwan University, graduating in 1953. He is a sculptor, director, musician and philosopher who participated in many collective exhibitions and biennales in Egypt, Europe and the former Soviet Union where he was awarded a one-year scholarship to study ceramics in 1959. Al-Nagdi obtained a diploma from the Venice-based Ruskin Artistic Appreciation Institute, Italy. He made his mark in establishing the Egyptian identity in modern Egyptian art and has been awarded numerous awards including first prizes in Alexandria Biennale in 1966, 1968 and 1974. His works are exhibited at museums in Egypt, Italy, France, the United States, England and Korea and has had numerous solo exhibitions around the world. The exhibition is on until 25 September.
