, is a retrospective exhibition by the internationally esteemed artist Zakaria Al-Zeini (1932-1993), showing at Safarkhan gallery. He has successfully imprinted his unique and tasteful stamp on the modern Egyptian art scene. Al-Zeini was graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts. He studied painting in Venice and graduated from the Academy of Pravana. As an expressionist, he gained his fame for using different symbols in his work and passing by several periods. The first period is the "moulid" and the "zar". His works exhibit a versatile and highly talented artistic portfolio, the ability to switch styles based on his particular experiences at the time which gives this exhibition a highly varied and differentiated feel. As one examines each piece in succession, his skill in conveying multiple topics and themes through noticeably distinctive techniques, which is often a rarity in conventional exhibitions, is obvious. After his death in 1993, he has since been recognized as one of the greatest Egyptian and Arab artists of his generation. In this collection, Al-Zeini offers us an exquisite window into his imaginative discourse as a painter through his compelling illustrations. We are treated from scenes of his trademark geometric shapes and blocks encaging minimalist figurines in deep intense colours, to picturesque landscape renditions of city structures and inhabitants painted in a most impressive and intensely brilliant realism that contrasts beautifully and starkly with his other styles on display. Many of the works on display are exploring the themes of black magic, superstition and non-religious ritualistic practices that are prevalent in Egypt's poor social classes which tend to emerge during the ‘moulid' celebrations of the saints and patrons of historical significance. He captures the essence of the ‘moulid' celebrations through his characteristic usage of shapes, often imbuing his paintings with a kind of aesthetically pleasing melancholy that is enticing. His diversity of style is clear in his other works that are more conventional in nature as opposed to his works that focus on abstract deconstruction and geometric shapes. The exhibition is on until 10 March
