“Visit to India”, is the latest exhibition of paintings by renowned artist Mohamed Abla to be opened today at 6.30pm at the Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture (MACIC) (Indian Cultural Centre) in Zamalek. In 2009, League of Arab States selected him to organize an exhibition for him at New Delhi. In 2010, he went to India for the second time at invitation from Lalit Kala Academy. Accordingly to Abla, India can be described as a huge world rich with colours, people of different races, stories and legends. "India can show the visitors many faces and so it needs many years to know India well. Visiting different places in India is almost like going back to history books. However, you can still explore the horizons of the future in other corners", he said. During his visit to India, he was attracted by the ability of the ordinary Indian citizen to enjoy life and feel its joy. Abla is an Egyptian artist known for his paintings of out of the ordinary sceneries in Egypt. In 1978, Abla embarked on a seven-year scholastic trip to Europe. His work was showcased for the first time in a solo exhibition at the Hohmann Gallery in northern Germany in 1979, and at the AAI Gallery in Vienna. In 1981, he studied graphics and sculpture at the Arts and Industries College in Zurich, Switzerland. Abla then went on to study graphics in Austria the following year. In 1985, he won first prize at the 'Cairo seen by artists' exhibition and the Grand Prix at the Alexandria Biennale in 1997. In 2007, he founded the Fayoum Art Centre, a space for artists to meet, work and collaborate. In 2009, he established the first caricature museum in the Middle East. The exhibition is on until 26 August.
