At the Museum of Modern Egyptian Art Al-Bab Hall, located in the Cairo Opera House grounds, the newest exhibition of paintings by the exceptionally gifted painter Mohamed Al-Tarawi, who gained his reputation as the ‘aquarelle master', is currently on show. Entitled “She”, the artist depicted on canvas the theme of the Egyptian woman, through 25 acrylic paintings using modern techniques and art media. He brilliantly tamed the bright acrylic colours in a way that gives them the effect of the aquarelle. In the paintings on display, he worships the female beauty in a variety of forms with a focus on the rural peasant woman and the Bedouin woman of Sinai. He uses delicate touches sometimes and firing touches in others. He makes a brilliant use of the abstract style in depicting the Bedouin woman in traditional costumes. The colourful palette of Al-Tarawi explores the unknown and the subconscious. Taking viewers on an adventurous ride through his secret, coded world, Al-Tarawi works on multiple pieces simultaneously to allow his intuition to navigate freely through his layered visual language. Throughout his artistic career, Al-Tarawi managed to create special links between the human factor and painting. The resulting works are abstract compositions featuring serene patterns, whose density evokes the feelings and passions of humans. Late visual artist and critic Hassan Osman once commented on the art of Al-Tarawi saying, “The human element in Al-Tarawi's painting is the main hero and in his works, the colour replaced the line or in other words the colour becomes his means to build the form with a variety of colours overwhelmed by blue in its different layers and shades.” A Faculty of Fine Arts graduate in 1980, Al-Tarawi is currently the main illustrator in Sabah Al-Kheir magazine affiliated to Rose Al-Youssef Organisation. The exhibition continues until 29 November.
