A retrospective exhibition of mixed media paintings, sculptures and ceramic vases by veteran ceramist Mohieddin Hussein is currently on show atZamalek Art gallery's both venues. One of the pioneer ceramists and sculptors in Egypt, Hussein has played a vital role in raising the awareness of the layman with the concept of the contemporary ceramic. In addition to the uniqueness of his technical and creative skills, not to mention his bold and constantly evolving artistic persona, Hussein has dedicated his entire artistic life to perfecting this particular art form, becoming in the process a benchmark among his contemporaries. He has executed detailed studies and creative applications in pottery works, sculpturing, and murals. Displaying a deeply moving quality, the lines of Hussein's sculpted works flow from one surface to another in a harmonious narrative, achieving a strong affinity to the Egyptian cultural heritage. In tiled art work and decorative plates, the artist demonstrates both mastery and verve with ceramic oxides and colouring agents spread over a wide surface, using a brush dipped in colour glazing over the surface of the tiles and plates. The final stage involves a firing technique, leaving a distinct outline composed of cracks and corrugations randomly dotted with pomegranate, aubergine, and olive hues. The finished piece is tinged with the metallic glint of copper, gold, and tin. Moving on to installation art, Hussein incorporates elements from his own works while others include pre-fabricated pottery materials and crafts as well as amazingly life-like refractory bricks. The renowned ceramist and sculptor's art works are exhibited at the Everson Ceramic Museum in New York, while Bibliotheca Alexandrina houses an exquisite collection of 90 pieces of his work, which were a donation from the artist to the library. The exhibition runs through 9 November.
